Third World Newsreel (New York, NY)
Founded in 1967, Third World Newsreel (TWN) is one of the oldest alternative media arts organizations in the United States. Our mission is to foster the creation, appreciation and dissemination of independent film and video made by and about people of diverse ethnic, cultural and class backgrounds. We support social issue film and video of diverse forms and genres, made by artists who are intimately connected to their subject matter through the common bonds of ethnic and cultural heritage, class position, gender, sexual orientation, and political identification.
How did your organization start?
Newsreel began as an activist filmmaker collective in 1967, and became a network with chapters across the U.S. They produced and distributed short 16mm films covering the anti-war and women's movements, Civil and human rights movements, attracting community and media activists and gaining unique access to such groups as the Black Panther Party and the Young Lords. NY Newsreel became Third World Newsreel in the mid-70s, committing to develop filmmakers and audiences of color. TWN carries on the progressive vision of its founders, and remains one of the oldest media arts organization devoted to diverse, progressive movements and global constituencies.
What is special about your organization?
Entering its 43rd year of existence, Third World Newsreel continues to celebrate the diversity, the commonalities and the milestones of people from the African, Asian, Latin, Pacific Island and Arab diasporas. TWN's distribution collection presents one of the most diverse and rich offerings of provocative and educational media resources available to teachers, librarians, students, curators, theaters, museums, community groups, families and inquiring individuals.
What is your organization currently working on that excites you?
A number of collaborations, events and on-line projects celebrating more than 40 years of progressive media. TWN recently partnered with the Hip-Hop Association to create H2Onewsreel, expanding its distribution services to the Hip-Hop culture. Also, TWN co-produced Dreams Deferred: The Sakia Gunn Film Project with Chas Brack, a documentary of a gay hate murder that explores the nexus of racism and homophobia, generating community organizing. TWN held our first AGEM (Asian Girls Empowerment through Media) workshop. Committed young women, ages 13-17 learned media literacy principles and produced their own documentaries- premiering this November!
What is the future for your organization? What are you striving for?
TWN's mission is no less imp
ortant today, than it was when it began in the sixties. But now our work has evolved from 16mm reversal film to digital and viral media platforms. TWN is striving to keep our productions, and our training and distribution services relevant and fresh for our constituency-from the baby boomers, gen x' and y'ers to the millenials, by exploring new platforms to present our media to an expanded, worldwide audience. TWN strives to build bridges and understanding across cultures, communities, ages and nations.
What else do you want the media arts community to know about your organization?
The Third World Newsreel spirit of progressive media activism remains alive and well. When anti-war protesters, women's liberation and civil rights groups needed a venue, Newsreel was there. TWN continues to address healthcare, foreclosures, racism, homophobia and injustices, as well as our music, dance, our joys and collective triumphs.
