The goal of this festival is to showcase films with a purpose, films which have at their core the desire to teach and uplight humanity. Each year, the festival is curated with international stories -- sometimes harrowing, sometimes inspirational -- that expose issues that many here in America would not ordinary have the opportunity to learn about. Topics generally include poverty, women's rights, and environmental justice. Because it is located near a college campus, it gives young people an opportunity to open their eyes to current affairs and then bring this material back to their classrooms to open these topics up for further discussion. As an attending filmmaker, I felt the organizers went out of their way to make us feel comfortable, provide us with appropriate lodging opportunities, and open up a variety of events for the filmmakers to come together and share ideas. The Global Peace Film Festival is one of the best film festivals to both attend and to come as a filmmaker to share and speak about your film.
After moving into the community I was introduced to GPFF through the executive director, Nina Streich. Once hearing the excellence and importance of the film festival to this area of the country, especially, I had to volunteer. The quality and diversity of the film programs over the last few years has not only been informative, educational, and beautifully presented, but also have instilled an energy in getting involved at a local and national level. Thus, the success of this festival!
Global Peace Film Fest is a highlight for any year in Central Florida. The world comes to us with engaging stories of perseverance, hope, legacy, risk and daring. Actions, large and small, that make a difference, often on a very local level. Living examples of the tools of "right action" that any of us can access --whether its ways to address climate change, injustice, lack of leadership, lack of resources, or lack of imagination. Be the change!
The Global Peace Film Festival continues to be relevant and important during these uncertain times, and it's still my favorite film festival. Nina, Kelly and the many festival volunteers have created a welcoming home for documentary filmmakers. I look forward to it every year, even if I'm not screening my own project. The GPFF is a wonderful asset to the Central Florida arts community.
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As a filmmaker, the Global Peace is my favorite film festival! At GPFF the content matters more than the production budget, film crew size or special effects. The audiences are smart and engaged, and the screenings include thought-provoking discussions about important and relevant subjects. Nina Streich, her staff and volunteers make filmmakers and audience members feel like they are a part of something special. Many kudos to them for creating such a great event year after year! Vicki Nantz
More than a film festival, this is a movement that continues to affect change long after the house lights come back on.
Experiencing the Global Peace Film Festival for the first time in 2017 was a highlight of my year. I learned so much in such a short period of time and I cannot wait to see what 2018 has in store!
This is one of my favorite events in Orlando. The films screened are ones that are shown no where else in Central Florida. I appreciate the range of topics covered. There is so much to learn at this festival about a wide range of issues that affect humanity, our quality of life, happiness, the health of the planet, and shows how many are making a difference in the world. The conversations with filmmakers and film goers are inspiring and so much fun. I always leave the festival feeling hopeful that we can make change.
Global Peace Film Festival is an incredible event that allows filmmakers from all over the world to share their stories of human struggle for peace and justice. Nina Streich has defied all odds for well over a decade to continue to bring this event to Orlando and create an forum where people can discuss their views on social justice and peace during a climate of uncertainty in this country. Everyone who has worked on this event does it for the love of great film making and a passion to have their stories heard. A must to see!
Every year I look forward to The Global Peace Film Festival (GPFF) it is is such an important festival and truly brings the world of important films to Central Florida! I can think of no greater aim than that of GPFF which "uses the power of the moving image to further the cause of peace on earth." This organization is solidly run with great passion and commitment not just to high quality films but as a support system for filmmakers. I am a huge fan!
The Global Peace Film Festival (GPFF) is one of Orlando's (and surrounding areas)
best cultural and cinematic adventure! I say adventure because the GPFF takes
viewers into the global and local world of peacemakers. It's an exciting adventure
to see people around the world working for a more peaceful and prosperous life.
Here in the U.S. we take for granted that bombs do not drop on our heads as a matter of
daily life. Others around the world do not take life or peace for granted. Every year the
GPFF helps us appreciate peace and life just a bit more. The GPFF is a cinematic and cultural treasure Orlando is proud to call its own.
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Peace is the signature issue of our time - and the Global Peace Film Festival promotes a culture of peace through the signature art form of our time.
The exhibition of a variety of wonderful and unusual films shows the relationship of peace to being human and the quality life. These films inspire change and a knowing that peace IS possible.
One spark of inspiration can change a life - and data shows the GPFF moves people to take
action for positive change.
The Global Peace Film Festival has become one of the most uplifting weeks of the year for me. While the subject matter of the films is varied the theme is the same, How can we make this world a better place?
The movies I was able to view at this event were so enlightening ! There are so many events taking place all over the world that these film makers are able to share with viewers. This is a definite on my list of events to attend. It’s already on my calendar for 2018.
This was my first experience with a "peace film festival" (as opposed to a regular film festival, I guess) and it far exceeded my expectations. Despite coming on the heels of Hurricane Irma, the show went on with utmost care and professionalism.
The festival planners truly curate a festival with high-quality films at its core--every film I saw knocked it out of the park. They also take a very broad view of what a peace film is, not just focusing on film that chronicles peacemakers in the face of conflict/war, but that rather examines people and places that are trying to make the world a better place in general.
I also really appreciated the small scale and Southern hospitality of the festival. Fest board members really take you under their wing: driving you to any and all screenings (not just your own), getting dinner with you, introducing you to local Orlando residents, and generally showing you a really good time. This fest really has a personal touch combined with a quality curator's eye toward film.
(Maria De La O, producer, The Promised Band)
Thank you to the Global Peace Film Festival team, the Executive Director Nina Streich and the Artistic Director Kelly DeVine for the flawless organization and the great selection of films. As a filmmaker, I was proud to be a part of it. It is a very inspiring event.
Nina and Kelly--and the whole GPFF staff--always curate a wonderful collection of sensitive and provocative treatments of the human condition, imploring us all to work to improve it. Significantly, the go the extra mileS to engage the community at large in their annual enterprise by reaching out to local academic, professional, and other communities to share the message of peace and humanity. And they reach out to filmmakers to assure that they know their work is both welcome and worthwhile in a world where value is generally measured in sales and audience size. They are like few others in the film festival circuit. Their niche is critical to filmmakers who have a voice that is often otherwise unheard. Thank you!
I'm a director of documentary film and TV and I've been fortunate to have participated in many film festivals over the year. This festival ranks with the best of them in terms of filmmaker experience and audience impact. We were incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to bring our film to an entirely new community. The festival organizers were well organized and dedicated, and even in the aftermath of hurricane Irma they managed to put on a memorable and impactful festival event. I hope we can come back with another film in the near future!
This is the second time I have brought a documentary to the Global Peace Film Festival and this year was every bit as rewarding as the first time in 2012 with our film "Trial By Fire: Lives Re-Forged." I love the GPFF mission and their broad and inclusive interpretation of peace. We feel honored that our current documentary, "The Buddy System" got to be a part of the 2017 festival. The GPFF has cultivated true audience engagement within the community of Winter Park and beyond. They have also the added element of engaging the academic community at Rollins College makes this festival extra special. From Kelly's thoughtful and incisive comments about our film, to Nina organizing and personally greeting us at the high school where we spoke to young film students, to Josh always being tuned into where we were and where we needed to go, we felt taken care of every step of the way. In addition, the GPFF mission doesn't stop after the festival ends! Nina and Kelly have both offered to help us rally more support when we have an upcoming screening in New York and are always interested in advising us on greater community engagement. As a filmmaker, I also greatly appreciate receiving a funds to put towards our travel expenses. I know of very few festivals who do this. It is a deeply meaningful gesture and one that both honors us as artists and respects the work that we do. Kudos to the entire team!
I have been going to GPFF since the year it opened. It has been an exciting, enjoyable, educational experience. It is needed even more now as we must,absolutely must, gain insight into different cultures to promote understanding and global communication . I look forward to another GPFF to widen my horizons in the coming year. Linda
