It has been six years since the John Paul II International Film Festival (JP2IFF) opened its doors to the South Florida community and filmmakers worldwide. As its organizers prepare for its fifth line-up, the festival will once again fulfill its mission to screen high-caliber, inspirational films from around the world and from filmmakers of different backgrounds and beliefs during its run from October 8 – 17, 2015.
Each year, the festival receives films from filmmakers of different nationalities, cultures and beliefs. From the large selection of submissions, the festival’s organizers and its panel of judges choose the best films that also resemble the theme for that year, and screen the selected work during the 10-day festival event. This year’s theme is The Rhythm of Life.
One of the milestones to mark this 5th anniversary will be new name for the Festival. “This is an exciting time,” said Laura Brennan, the festival’s executive director. “Our name change makes it loud and clear that we fully embrace the inter-religious and multi-cultural dialogue our film selections bring to South Florida every year. After all, we are the first openly interfaith film festival out there and have been from this event’s conception.” The Festival will now be known as The JP2 Inter-Faith Film Festival.
With 15 feature films (from Australia, China, Iran, Kurdistan, France, Canada and the U.S.) and 16 short-length films (from Belgium, Iran, Poland, Greece, Spain, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S.), this year’s event will feature its most diverse lineup of independent films to date. The films will tackle topics of racism, abortion, the ISIS war, homosexuality and the sex-trafficking industry among others. And it will take place in the Cinépolis Grove movie theater in the heart of Coconut Grove, Florida.
“We always strived to model our event after John Paul II’s artistic and humanitarian ideas,” said Frank Brennan, Director of Film Submissions & Technology. “He believed art should be used to reflect the hopes and struggles of the human heart and explore the mystery of creation, and he worked hard to also build bridges between people of different faiths and backgrounds.”
The JP 2 Inter-Faith Film Festival has launched an online crowd funding initiative that will run until September 14, 2015, to help cover the cost of its professional venue, promotional material and marketing plan. All interested donors and sponsors are welcome to log on to the JP2 Inter-Faith Film Festival’s GoFundMe Campaign by visiting http://www.gofundme.com/jp2filmfestival15.
About JP2IFF
The JP2IFF is organized by 7eventhDay Media, Inc., a tax exempt, non-profit organization based in Miami, Florida. Its mission is to nurture and provide a forum for expression to filmmakers who create high quality productions that serve as witness to their faith.
