Miami, March 5, 2014 – The Confucius Institute at Miami Dade College (MDC) has partnered with Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), a program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture, to present a master class seminar dedicated to “Learning Language and Culture through Cinema.” The event will take place at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11.
Now in its second year of official partnership with MIFF, the Institute is adding to this year’s programming a seminal initiative to advance international understanding, language education and appreciation for the world’s cultural diversity through the visual arts.
As one of the most culturally-diverse cities in the U.S., Miami is the perfect locale to reap the benefits of this initiative.
“We are giving audiences the opportunity to develop cultural sensitivity and appreciation for the diversity that they encounter daily in their very own city,” said Dr. Jim Yu, Director of the Confucius Institute.
“The initiative aligns perfectly with the higher ends of the Festival, which are to convene the world through film and expand the audiences’ appreciation for international cinema and the culturally-mediated perspectives represented therein,” said MIFF Executive Director Jaie Laplante.
The seminar will feature a panel presentation by leading professionals in the film, cultural entertainment and education industries. Among the regions represented by the presenters’ perspectives are Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and North America.
Panelists include: Dr. Xinxun Wu, Executive Director of Chinese Academy for Cultural Industries and Professor at School of Film/TV Arts & Technology at Shanghai University, China; Flora Lau, Film Director from Hong Kong (MIFF 2014, BENDS); Barry Gordon, Director, School of Entertainment & Design Technology at Miami Dade College; Dr. Li Ma, Assistant Director of Chinese Language & Culture Programs at Florida International University; Monica Rosales, Executive Director, DocMiami International Film Festival; and Nathaniel Styles Jr., Executive Director, Osun’s Village Miami & African Caribbean Cultural Arts Corridor. The seminar will be moderated by Dr. Jim Yu, Director of the Confucius Institute.
Educators, filmmakers, cultural entertainment professionals and general film aficionados, are the targeted audiences of this seminar. Educators of all grade-levels will receive tips on how to use film as a teaching tool for foreign language and teaching culture. Cultural entertainment professionals will receive guidance on how to artistically render a culture with sensitivity and candidness. And film enthusiasts will learn ways to increase their human understanding of and sensitivity towards foreign cultures represented in film.
The event is free and open to the public. Visit www.miamifilmfestival.com for details on registration.
Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), celebrating its 31st anniversary March 7 – 16, 2014, is considered the preeminent film festival for showcasing Ibero-American cinema in the U.S., and a major launch pad for all international and documentary cinema. The annual Festival, produced and presented by Miami Dade College, attracts more than 60,000 audience members and more than 400 filmmakers, producers, talent and industry professionals. It is the only major festival housed within a college or university. In the last five years, the Festival has screened films from more than 60 countries, including 300 World, International, North American, U.S. and East Coast Premieres. MIFF’s special focus on Ibero-American cinema has made the Festival a natural gateway for the discovery of new talent from this diverse territory. The Festival also offers unparalleled educational opportunities to film students and the community at large. Major sponsors of the 2014 Festival include Knight Foundation, Lexus and Miami-Dade County. For more, visit miamifilmfestival.com or call 305-237-MIFF (3456).
MDCulture is the Cultural Affairs Department of Miami Dade College (MDC). Comprising the Miami Book Fair International, Miami International Film Festival, Tower Theater, the Center for Literature and Theatre, Koubek Center, Freedom Tower, MDC Live Arts and MDC Galleries and Museum of Art + Design, MDCulture is committed to providing everyone the opportunity to come in contact with innovative thinkers, creators and tradition bearers from around the world. With each presentation, MDCulture offers a bridge between cultures and ideas, creating new opportunities for the increasingly diverse population of Miami to come together through shared live arts experiences. For more, visit mdculture.org.
“Learning Language and Culture through Film” Master Class Seminar
- WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- WHERE: MDC Wolfson Campus, Room 7128 300 NE Second Ave.