Pangea Day is a global event bringing the world together through
film.
Why? In a world where people are often divided by borders,
difference, and conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all
have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that – to help people
see themselves in others – through the power of film.
Starting at 18:00 GMT on May 10, 2008, locations in Cairo,
Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro will be
linked for a live program of powerful films, live music, and
visionary speakers. The entire program will be broadcast – in seven
languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet,
television, and mobile phones.
The 24 short films to be featured have been selected from an
international competition that generated more than 2,500
submissions from over one hundred countries. The films were chosen
based on their ability to inspire, transform, and allow us see the
world through another person's eyes. Details on the Pangea Day
films can be viewed here.
The program will also include a number of exceptional speakers
and musical performers. Queen Noor of Jordan, CNN's Christiane
Amanpour, musician/activist Bob Geldof, and Iranian rock phenom
Hypernova are among those taking part.
People inspired by Pangea Day will have the opportunity to
participate in community-building activities around the world.
Through the live program, the Pangea Day web site, and
self-organized local events, everyday people will be connected with
extraordinary activists and organizations.
Many of the films and performances seen on Pangea Day will be
made available on the Web and via mobile phone, alongside open
forums for discussion and ideas for how to take social action.
A Pangea Day documentary will be created to catalyze future
activities, and dozens of talented filmmakers will make strides in
their careers.
In 2006, filmmaker Jehane Noujaim won the TED
Prize, an annual award granted at the TED Conference. She was
granted $100,000, and more important, a wish to change the world.
Her wish was to create a day in which the world came together
through film. Pangea Day grew out of that wish. Watch Jehane Noujaim’s
2006 acceptance speech now.
Website: www.pangeaday.org