This evening, FILM PLATFORM and ProQuest invite students, faculties and academics to a live dialogue with the founders of Partners In Health, the subject of the award-winning documentary Bending the Arc (whose exec producers include Ben Affleck/Matt Damon). Panel hosted by Tabitha Jackson of Sundance FF.
Is it possible to fight infectious disease like COVID-19 – and create a more just world in the process?
This evening (19.00 ET, October 22) the founders of Partners In Health, a non-profit social justice organization with extensive experience in the treatment of infectious disease outbreaks globally, will tackle this question head-on in a free virtual event hosted by documentary curator FILM PLATFORM and EdTech leader ProQuest.
The event will feature Dr Paul Farmer, Ophelia Dahl and Dr Jim Yong Kim and will be moderated by Tabitha Jackson, director of The Sundance Film Festival. It is hoped that participants will come away with a renewed sense of optimism about the future of global healthcare.
Partners In Health is the subject of the award-winning documentary Bending the Arc from executive producers Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Damon & Heidi Lindelof. The film tells the story of the organization’s founders, who began a movement in the 1980s that changed global health forever. All participants are encouraged to register for the event and to request access to watch Bending the Arc in advance.
“Sundance Institute is dedicated to bringing exceptional documentary film to new audiences globally and fostering the kinds of conversations they inspire,” says moderator Tabitha Jackson. “We are thrilled to be working with FILM PLATFORM and ProQuest to bring Bending the Arc to students and faculty around the world by sponsoring a lively discussion with the unforgettable characters in this gripping and timely film.”
Comments Francesco De Flaviis, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Partners In Health: “We know that when people watch Bending the Arc, they are not only deeply affected by the inspiring story of Dr Paul Farmer and friends, they also develop a new understanding of how optimism coupled with dogged perseverance can – and must – reshape global health. We are beyond excited that the film will be shared with students and faculty around the world on FILM PLATFORM through ProQuest. We hope everyone will watch the movie and join Paul, Ophelia and Jim for a lively conversation. As Paul says, ‘Optimism is a moral choice; we must all reject despair and cynicism.’”
Adds Chris Burghardt, Senior Vice President, ProQuest Information Solutions: “ProQuest is deeply honored to host this event with FILM PLATFORM and the founders of Partners In Health, who are pioneers in affecting change. Our goal is to empower attendees to look at the issues in their own communities and gain strategies to advocate for their most vulnerable neighbors.”
Elinor Kowarsky, CEO of FILM PLATFORM, commented: “As curators of the world’s most extraordinary documentary films, we are thrilled to showcase Bending the Arc. We know that an artfully crafted film worthy of a Sundance premiere has the power to engage viewers in experiential learning that lasts a lifetime. With this event, our partners at ProQuest aim to heighten that experience even further with a discussion with these heroic characters whose work is more relevant now than ever before.”
FILM PLATFORM is an exclusive collection of the most prestigious documentary films streaming for academic use, all of which are available through ProQuest.
ProQuest supports the important work in the world’s research and learning communities. The company curates six centuries of content – the world’s largest collection of journals, ebooks, primary sources, dissertations, news and video – and builds powerful workflow solutions to help libraries acquire and grow collections that inspire extraordinary outcomes. ProQuest products and services are used in academic, K-12, public, corporate and government libraries in 150 countries. Along with its companies and affiliates Ex Libris, Alexander Street and Bowker, ProQuest helps its customers achieve better research, better learning and better insights.
Partners In Health is a global social justice organization now leveraging its more than 30 years of experience to fight the coronavirus pandemic globally and in the U.S. and to advocate for equitable health systems.
ro*co films is a leading educational distributor of documentary films specializing in impact and engagement.
Sundance Institute “believes that a story driven by an individual, authentic voice can awaken new ideas that have the power to delight and entertain, push creative boundaries, spark new levels of empathy and understanding, and even lead to social change”. The Sundance Institute supports independent storytellers and advances the impact of their work in the world.
