New York, NY, MAR 13, 2015 -- The 2nd edition of the SR SOCIALLY RELEVANT FILM FESTIVAL NEW YORK runs from March 16 - 22, 2015 at Tribeca Cinemas, Maysles Cinema, Quad Cinema and School of Visual Arts. The festival’s timely and socially engaging selection offers World and U.S. premieres and industry panels.

Films from over 30 countries including Armenia, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Haiti, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kurdistan, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Palestine, Patagonia, Peru, Romania, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE and the USA will be screened in 4 venues.

SR SOCIALLY RELEVANT FILM FESTIVAL NEW YORK is a new not-for-profit film festival showcasing socially relevant film content. The films selected raise awareness to social problems and current issues.

The Festival was inaugurated in March 2014 with a program of 55 films from 18 countries at the Quad Cinema. Nora Armani, Actor/Filmmaker and Founding Artistic Director of SR, created the festival in response to the proliferation of violence and violent forms of storytelling. “I strongly believe that the violence portrayed on our screens and in video games is responsible for the banalization of evil in our societies and the proliferation of violent forms of communication. Most films today encourage mis-representation, reinforce stereotypes and create an escapist passive attitude in youth and adults towards major social issues. In reverse, simply by focusing more on socially relevant themes, positive social change can be promoted through the powerful medium of cinema.”

Why SR is so socially relevant this year?

This year’s lineup includes films that address a wide range of issues including:
Gun control & police brutality
Race relations & discrimination
Violence against women & empowering women
LGBT rights
Conflict in the Mideast
The environment & climate change
The US economy & oil rush
Immigration & exile

The Festival opens with the US premiere of the Turkish/German/French co-production COME TO MY VOICE (WERE DENGÊ MIN), directed by Hϋseyin Karabey, which will screen at CUNY Graduate Center, Proshansky Auditorium on March 16th, and is by invitation through the Festival. The film premiered at the Berlinale in 2014. Sponsored by the German Consulate General in New York in partnership with SR Film Fest and MEMEAC (Middle East Middle East America Center) at CUNY Graduate Center. This event is free with by registering on: http://www.ratedsrfilms.org.

Interviews can be arranged with the Film Festival Director, Nora Armani, and various film directors.

There are press passes available.

For tickets and more information visit the web site: http://www.ratedsrfilms.org.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1E3nyleBzA

Media Contact:
Linda Altman,
Susan Senk PR & Marketing
[email protected]
212.876.5948
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