KPFT Notes

he Human Rights Watch International Film Festival in partnership with Adobe Youth Voices seeks youth-produced media works on human rights issues for its second annual YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE program to screen in our New York, London, Boston and San Francisco film festivals in 2009-10.

Armed with digital cameras, computers and their own boundless creativity — young people across the globe are bravely exposing human rights issues faced by themselves and their communities.

Now in its second year, YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE provides a platform for youth to share their perspectives with audiences worldwide. We are currently seeking film, video and animated works on human rights issues created by youth ages 19 and younger.

Selected films will travel to:
* Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, New York : June 11-25, 2009
* Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, Boston: January 2010
* Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, London : March 2010
* Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, San Francisco: March 2010
* Selected films will be included in the 2009 Traveling Film Festival
* Films will be added to the Adobe Youth Voices and Human Rights Watch websites
* Films will be added to the teacher’s lending library for the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival High School Program

For information on how to submit your film, please download our submission form.

Good news from our sister station, via new GM Lemlem Rijio:

Greetings and salutations!

I am writing to share some good news as we’ve just wrapped up our fall fund drive.  Despite the greatest financial crises since the great depression, KPFA’s listeners have contributed very generously and have helped us surpass our budgeted goal by over $50,000!  And still counting…We campaigned on-air for 17.5 days and plan to continue raising funds online for the coming 10-14 days to raise an additional $30,000-$40,000.  We wish our sister stations the same success!

Many many thanks to those of you who helped ensure the success of the drive by contributing financially, answering phones, donating delicious home made food, and more.  We appreciate your support.

Also, last week, we received a grant award of $20,000 for equipment upgrade.  Next, or in about 6 weeks, we’ll conduct another short on-air campaign to raise funds to sustain the PRA and to help alleviate Sister KPFT’s financial needs caused by Hurricane Ike.  For us it’s just the beginning of a three month long series of off-air fund raising campaigns, and this has been a great start.  Next week, I will email you our plans for the 5th Annual KPFA Peace Awards taking place this fall!

As you can probably sense from this email, I feel great.  I hope this email finds you well and makes you proud and fantastic to be a Pacifican!

Looking forward to more success for KPFA and Pacifica.

Outgoing Pacifica Executive Director Nicole Sawaya announced today that Lemlem Rijio, the longtime interim general manager, accepted the GM position, effective immediately. From Nicole’s announcement:

Lemlem accepted the position today, and I’m am very pleased for KPFA and the Network. Lemlem has been iGM for over two years, has proved her mettle, strength and courage, and surely knows what she will continue to guide and lead. I have every confidence in her ability to keep KPFA strong and forward moving during turbulent times!

At the local level, I hope everyone will use this as an opportunity to approach each other and the General Manager with fresh outlooks and goals.

Best of luck to Lemlem, one of my favorite folks, and everyone at our sister station, KPFA.