PBS Online Film Festival to Feature 20 Short Films

From NAPT:

PBS Online Film Festival to Feature 20 Short Films

PBS has launched its first Online Film Festival and showcase of twenty short films from independent filmmakers. The Festival, featuring award-winning films with a wide array of styles, perspectives and subject matter, will run from February 27 through March 30 and can be accessed via the PBS website and the PBS YouTube channel. "The theme of the PBS Online Film Festival is 'Watch Us Surprise You,' as we think many will be surprised by the depth and breadth of video content that's available on PBS.org," said Jason Seiken, Senior Vice President of Interactive, Product Development and Innovation for PBS. "PBS and member stations have always been a home for independent film and we're excited to launch this first Festival and introduce viewers to these diverse stories and voices." A People's Choice award will be given to the film with the most votes. Visitors can vote for their favorite film by "liking" it either on the Festival's page on PBS.org or the PBS YouTube channel. The overall winner will receive top placement on the PBS.org homepage, video portal and YouTube page, promotion on PBS's social media channels and an official badge for their site. The PBS Online Film Festival will feature short films produced by a number of public broadcasting organizations including Independent Television Service (ITVS), POV and the National Minority Consortia (NMC)--Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC), National Black Programming Consortium (NPBC), Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) and Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc. (NAPT).   NAPT Films Featured in the Festival: I Survived (Playing Now), Kiera Lasiloo (Zuni/Cochiti Pueblo) A first-hand account of Sgt. Samuel Tapia's experience when his convoy hit a roadside bomb. The Migration (March 19), Cody Harjo (Seminole/Otoe/Creek) & Sydney Freeland (Navajo)  In a future wracked by global warming and controlled by an authoritarian government, an American Indian family goes into hiding, holding out one last hope for the planet's survival. Horse You See (March 26), Melissa Henry (Navajo) Ross, a Navajo horse, explains the very essence of being himself. Each Monday, the festival will showcase a new group of short films under a common theme. Those themes are: Real Stories, Growing Pains, Girl Power, Who Are We? and Offbeat.