Centre Film Festival at The Rowland
Hourly Schedule
The Rowland Theatre - Saturday, November 5th
- 1:30pm - 1:47pm
- Letter to a Pig
- Featured Animated Short Film
- 1:48pm - 3:02pm
- Refuge
- Featured Documentary Short Film (Arno Michaelis and Mubin Shaikh in attendance)
Erin Bernhardt
Refuge
ARNO MICHAELIS and MUBIN SHAIKH of Parents for Peace (Refuge) in attendance.
About The Film
Refuge is a film about love and fear in the American South. Chris Buckley is a husband, father, veteran, and until recently, a leader in the KKK. He began hating Muslim people following 9/11, but is forced to confront his hatred when he receives a text message from Muslim refugee, Dr. Heval Kelli. Dr. Kelli lives in Clarkston, Georgia, a town that has welcomed refugees from around the world for over 40 years and is known as the most ethnically diverse square mile in America. Clarkston residents have survived persecution in their home countries, and now they find themselves threatened by a new kind of hate – American white nationalism. Refuge illustrates the roots of hate, its devastating impacts, and ultimately how it can be overcome.
About The Directors
Erin Bernhardt has won numerous film festival awards, two Peabody Awards, and an Emmy. Her first independent feature documentary, Imba Means Sing, aired worldwide on Netflix, Delta Studio, and all major VOD platforms. Prior to independent filmmaking, Erin served in the Peace Corps in Madagascar, worked as a Writer/Producer at CNN, and as the Director of Engagement for Points of Light, President George. H. W. Bush’s foundation.
Din Blankenship is a trained architectural designer who unexpectedly fell into filmmaking. Din has designed transitional shelters for refugees and was invited to present her work at the Symposium for the Architecture of Disaster Relief. She has a Masters in Architecture with High Distinction from the University of Michigan, where her thesis earned the Thesis Award of Excellence. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia. While Din’s creative interests span many mediums, she has found her passion in filmmaking.
Letter to a Pig
About The Film
A Holocaust survivor writes, after the war, a thank-you letter to a pig that saved his life. After his testimony in a classroom, a young student dreams a tragic version of his story. Beyond her personal vision, the film also explores the themes of collective trauma, vengeance, human evil and compassion.
About The Directors
Tal Kantor is an award-winning independent animation filmmaker & visual artist. Tal graduated with honors from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, where she currently lectures in the Screen-Based Arts Department. In her animated works, Tal uses a unique technique she has developed, which combines drawing, photography, video, painting, and animation. Her short animated film “In Other Words” won 17 awards and was officially selected in more than 100 festivals worldwide. “Letter to a Pig”, which won the “Excellence Award” at the Japan Media Arts Festival (2022), is her debut film.
From Oct. 31 – Nov. 6, 2022, The Centre Film Festival will return for a weekend of the finest offerings in contemporary cinema at the State Theatre in State College and the Rowland Theatre in Philipsburg. In addition to internationally recognized films, we will highlight the work of Pennsylvania filmmakers and Penn State alumni.
Save the date and get an early bird discount on your All Access passes which includes all films, events, and discussions throughout the entire festival as well as special perks from local businesses. Early bird pricing will be available until October 7th!
Check centrefilm.org for more information.