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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will partner with FilmAid, a non-profit humanitarian organization working with refugees and other vulnerable communities around the world, for the “Academy x FilmAid: Visiting Artists Series,” a set of conversations and master classes on the art of filmmaking. The Academy and FilmAid share a similar mission to advocate for, educate and empower individuals to tell their own stories through film. Through this collaboration, the Academy and FilmAid aim to inform, inspire and amplify the work of aspiring filmmakers in FilmAid’s locations worldwide.
“This partnership will serve as a bridge between the Academy and the next generation of international filmmakers in communities whose vital stories need to be heard,” said Academy governor and Education and Outreach Committee chair Wynn P. Thomas. “We hope that by sharing knowledge, we can help individuals develop their voices in a number of practical ways.”
As part of its work, FilmAid provides media training courses to give young people the necessary skills and confidence to express themselves and advocate for their communities. The Academy created an in-depth series, to be distributed through FilmAid’s training programs, that enlists Academy members to give behind-the-scenes insights into a variety of topics, including costume design, cinematography, directing, documentary filmmaking and sound mixing. The series is also available on the Academy’s YouTube channel.
FilmAid was founded by film producer Caroline Baron in 1999 in response to the refugee crisis in Kosovo. Having worked in over 20 countries, FilmAid has become a leader in amplifying the voices of displaced youth and providing life-saving information to communities in need. In addition to media training courses, FilmAid uses a community-based, multi-channel approach to provide displaced people with actionable information about their rights, safety, health and future. Through video, radio, print, SMS and digital media campaigns created and distributed in collaboration with host communities, FilmAid is able to reach more than 400,000 people every year.
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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a global community of more than 10,000 of the most accomplished artists, filmmakers and executives working in film. In addition to celebrating and recognizing excellence in filmmaking through the Oscars, the Academy supports a wide range of initiatives to promote the art and science of the movies, including public programming, educational outreach and the upcoming Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
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