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AMNH Presents 2012 Margaret Mead Film Festival, 11/29-12/2

The 2012 Margaret Mead Film Festival, as the preeminent showcase for contemporary cultural storytelling, will screen 29 outstanding films and host special multi-media events and performances. The Margaret Mead Film Festival strives to illuminate the complexity and diversity of peoples and cultures from around the world. Encompassing a broad spectrum of creative storytelling from indigenous community media to experimental documentaries, the films present a range of cultural perspectives and offer forums for discussion with filmmakers and renowned speakers.

Film highlights and events of this year’s lineup include:

· The Other Half of Tomorrow, directed by Sadia Shepard and Samina Quraeshi
OPENING NIGHT: Thursday, November 29, at 8 pm
A world premiere and Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award contender, this series of vivid vignettes explores the disparate realities of contemporary Pakistan through the perspectives of women.

· Bhangra Dance Party with DJ Rekha
Friday, November 30 at 10 pm
DJ Rekha, founder and host of the legendary Basement Bhangra and Bollywood Disco parties, lights up the Cullman Hall of the Universe with a feast of South Asian sound, color, and movement.

· Maori Boy Genius, directed by Pietra Brettkelly
Saturday, December 1, at 8:30 pm
A U.S. premiere and Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award contender, this film follows 16-year-old Ngaa Rauuira, a prodigy and national hero. How will he rise to the extraordinary challenge of being the voice and hope of the Maori community while dealing with the ordinary trials of being a teenager?

· Whose Story Is It?
Saturday, December 1, at 6 pm
This program is an interactive event that will explore the role of stories in our contemporary lives and dig deep into the theme of this year’s festival: Whose Story Is It? Part of this year’s Mead Dialogues, Story Lounge participants include anthropologist Pegi Vail, Moth founder George Green and artistic director Catherine Burns, POV executive director Simon Kilmurry, and StoryCorps senior producer Michael Garofalo and producer Lizzie Jacobs.

· Jai Bhim Comrade, directed by Anand Patwardhan
Sunday, December 2, at 1:30 pm
A New York premiere, the film is a 14-year examination by acclaimed political documentarian Anand Patwardhan of the music of protest of the Dalit, India’s “untouchable” caste.