In our quest for a vision we ask ourselves this: If we blended the continents into one entity, what would the ramifications be? If borders were porous, allowing through a free exchange of inspiration, culture, political and religious ideas—what would it look like? Sound like? Feel like? We are here to explore all cultures and hope to show what drives them or where their influence comes from.

Opening on October 22, 2009, the second annual chashama Film Festival aims to give us a taste of this global village with its 2009 festival, themed “Festival of the Worlds.” By screening films that voice diverse opinions and present international views, we hope to move us one step further from disassociation in the direction of a unified whole. Our goal is to not only push boundaries, but to erase them.

The Festival of the Worlds will provide a forum for global expression, a place for filmmakers and audience members to cultivate a better understanding of their brothers and sisters of different origins. It is a platform for a spectrum of political , sociological and philosophical ideologies presented in an environment designed to foster creative and intellectual expansion. Our goal is to explore both the differences and the similarities of the international community in order to become a more educated population, one that is more capable of avoiding negative historical cycles and more willing to push us into a sustainable future.

At last year’s festival, we screened 54 films out of 200+ submissions and reached an audieznce of approximately 500. The festival spanned three days, and included films from Egypt, Switzerland, Greece and the United States. Directors flew in from around the globe to be a part of our festival, and we were honored to give out 15 Victor Awards, 2 of which were audience selections and the rest awarded by deliberation of a panel of 5 judges. Last year’s theme was “Films that other festivals are afraid to show.”

This year we are expanding that theme to formalize the global component: films that the world need to see. We expect this year’s festival to reach an audience of over 1000 people in venues that embrace today’s global nature, including museums and international theaters. The festival is designed to cultivate a community of filmmakers who can share, network, and help to build each other’s visions.

At chashama, we believe that the art of film and the existence of uncensored, non-corporate media outlets are vital to an informed, compassionate and understanding population. We aim to break away from mass-media caricatures and portrayals of lifestyles that are incongruous with reality or void of critical analysis. What we look for is real feeling, real questions, real ideas. As New Yorkers, we feel it is our responsibility to be on the cutting edge of social and political change and a model for progressive ideas, in this case using film is our medium.

At this time of widespread economic and political instability, when the world is breathing for change, for unification and for peace, we know our action is essential. Our action is art.

We hope that you will join us in realizing our vision.

Sociology

In a large area to explore our schedule will be dictated through mirages of these categories.

Definition: Ethnocentrism- Judging other cultures by the standards of your own culture.

2. Types of Culture and Social Change

3. Socialization and Deviance

4. Interaction Groups and Organizations

5. Population, Ecology, and Urbanization

Social Inequalities

6. Inequalities of Social Class

7. Inequalities of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender

Social Institutions

8. Marriage and Family

9. Education

10. Religion

11. The Political Order

12. The Economy

13. Medicaine and Healthcare

Working for change

14. Collective Social Action

-Collective Behavior

-Socail Movements

-Collective Socail Action and Working for Change

Critical thinking is an important part of why we are......

Philosophy

Reality- 4 antinomies(Limitation of, pluarlity, causality, neccessity as a whole); the Cosmos

Bodies- Universal laws of nature

Personality- developing human capacities

Knowledge- Analytic vs. Synthetic judgements; Knowledge and Faith

Freedom- Freedom and Neccesity

Morality- Moral training

Society- The problem of a good society; types of government; War and Peace; Friendship

Religion- The Theological idea

Immortality- The prospect of a future life

Fulfillment- Happiness; Moral Perfection

Political Explorations

-History of

-People From

-Current and Immediate situations

-Filmmakers View

-Justice System

-World Goverments

-Communisim

-Socialism

-Capitalism