Illustration by Leigh Douglas

The first annual Reel Change Film Festival will feature films, art and workshops from students and professionals, illuminating environmental and social issues.

“We can use the powers of our creativity and our intellect in collaboration to make the changes we want to see a reality,”  said event organizer and fourth-year politics and economics major Jeremy Kirshbaum.

Although the event will be held on campus, it is not just for students. The festival’s organizers aim to make the event a collaborative effort for the entire Santa Cruz community.

“We want to incorporate the community with the UC campus as much as possible,” said event organizer and first-year literature major Jacqueline Grohs.

The festival will feature activities and workshops to educate festival-goers in both the arts and the social sciences. One workshop will explain the process of documentary filmmaking and teach the basics of making your own.

“I’m personally hosting a poetry writing and performing workshop,” Grohs said.

Artwork by student and local artists will be on display in Quarry Plaza throughout the festival. Artists will be painting, creating screen prints and performing interactive artwork at the event. Many Santa Cruz organizations have contributed to the event, including the Santa Cruz Film Festival, which provided support and guidance in getting Reel Change off the ground.

The Campus Sustainability Council, Education for Sustainable Living Program and Environmental Education for the Next Generation are also supporting the event.

“There are a lot of chances for collaboration … a lot of really, really talented students on campus who are doing films, and there are a lot of people off campus who are doing film and art,”
Kirshbaum said. “The organizations on campus could benefit from collaboration off campus.”

All proceeds from the festival will be given to the Rise Up Development Collective, a relief organization with aims to provide humanitarian aid in Ghana.

“We are currently raising funds to help build a clinic in Ghana,” said second-year environmental studies student and Rise Up member Daisy Garcia.

The collective hopes to create a sustainable income for the clinic through eco-tourism, Garcia said.

Social and environmental justice are pressing issues with many factors that aren’t that obvious to the public, Grohs said.

“Through the power of film and through the power of arts,”  Grohs said, “we can spread a lot of awareness.”

Event Info: 

Location: Quarry Plaza — Films will be shown in the Bay Tree Conference Rooms and the nearby Classroom Units 1 and 2.

Admission: Free, with a suggested donation of $5–10

Date: Saturday

Time: 5–10 p.m.

Photo by Toby Silverman.

On July 26, UCSC student Amanda Timoney will be embarking on a trip through the University of California Education Abroad Program to Ghana. While staying in Accra — Ghana’s capital — she plans to help the local refugees and villagers as best she can, meanwhile studying at the University of Ghana, which is 10 miles northeast of the capital.

City on a Hill Press: What organization(s) will you be working with while in Ghana?

Timoney: As of right now it’s my own project — I’ll be working with both fisheries in Accra and in rural villages. Ghana is very popular for digital dumping as well, mostly computers, but they come from all over the world.

CHP: What do you hope to bring back to UCSC?

Timoney: Well, at the moment I’m really active in College Ten’s core theme of social justice and community. I’m planning on making a blog while abroad to turn into a complementary documentary and share some of the things I learn as well as some of the culture I live through.

CHP: How prepared are you for the culture shock you’re about to experience?

Timoney: I’m excited for it. A lot of people get nervous about not being accepted — I like the idea of working on a clean slate and being challenged to live in that culture. Also I hear that American women get proposed to on the streets pretty often, so I’m excited for that — might just tie the knot there.

CHP: Where does the drive to connect with people come from?

Timoney: It’s like being a new kid at the first day in school. I was always that one kid that never really connected with the society around me but always seemed to have things figured out. When I see people who need my help, I just want to connect with them and help them however I can. I have a great life and everything I need. I just want to share that.

CHP: Why Ghana?

Timoney: I feel that the Congo is one of the most challenged places in the world right now. Ghana takes in a lot of refugees from the Congo, and since A: I’m a woman and B: I’m American, I feel as though I wouldn’t be able to do as much for the people in the Congo directly other than draw lots of attention to myself. This is the best place for me to go and help those people.