Our Education and Culture Program supports community development across the Western Hemisphere. They build bridges across borders, exchange understanding, and enable communities to create lasting change. Project funding is available to support community projects planned and implemented by Partners of the Americas Chapters and organizational members. The Education and Culture Program is a U.S. Department of State program of the U.S. Department of State with funding from the U.S. Government and administered by Partners of the Americas.
Over several years, the Education and Culture Program supported the funding of MOSTRA Brazilian Film Festival, facilitated by the Illinois Sao Paulo Chapter, in coordination with others. Below, hear more from Founder and Director, Ariani Friedl about the project and its sustained programming.
P.S. Join the MOSTRA Brazilian Film Festival from November 2-16, 2024. Learn more here at their website.
| MOSTRA Brazilian Film Festival |
Project Summary
The MOSTRA: Brazilian Film Festival Project, promotes a greater understanding of Brazilian culture, politics, history, environment, and social issues through films with social conscience. MOSTRA (meaning “exhibit” in Portuguese) is the largest Brazilian film festival in the midwest. Presented by the non-profit organization Illinois Sao Paulo Chapter of Partners of the Americas. The event’s motto is “Brazilian Films with Social Conscience.” MOSTRA has as its venues educational and cultural institutions to foster conversations about social issues among the academic community, filmmakers, students and socially conscious individuals.
- How did you approach implementing the project, and what were some of the key steps involved?
This project has been going on for 15 years. We started by contacting universities, as it is an educational project, in order to reach the student young population and academics who can look for solutions to social issues. - Can you share any challenges you encountered during the implementation phase, and how did you address them?
The biggest challenge of all is the raising of necessary funds to implement the project. Since it is organized totally by professional volunteers, it is really difficult to maintain a core group of volunteers who work year in and year out voluntarily. - What were some of the most significant achievements or successes of the project
Its growth throughout these past 15 years, the receptivity of the higher institutions and cultural institutions about the project, acknowledging the validity of its goals. - How has the project impacted the community since its implementation, and have there been any unexpected outcomes?
The project has grown steadily and has impacted the community greatly, and it is considered the best educational and cultural program about Brazil in the Midwest by the Brazilian Consulate. - Is the project still ongoing, and if so, how have you sustained its momentum?
Yes. l The project has been presented consistently for the past 14 years, even during the pandemic, when it was presented virtually. The momentum is sustained by the quality of the films brought to the festival and the valuable discussions by the filmmakers who are invited to attend the festival and share their experiences and knowledge about the themes presented by the films. - In what ways have community members been involved in the project, and how has their participation contributed to its success?
The community has been involved with the project by sharing volunteers, items for silent auctions, and participation in the screenings and debates during the festival. - Have you encountered any obstacles in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project, and how have you navigated them?
As stated before, the most difficult aspect of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project is the funds necessary to continue to provide the quality of program as it grows in scope, venues, bringing filmmakers to the presentations (quite costly), securing the special films from directors/producers, etc. - What advice would you give to others who are interested in implementing a similar community project?
Commitment to what you want to accomplish; Knowledge of films and the desired themes that are the core of what is presented at MOSTRA; Constant contact with directors and film festivals to see what is available that represent the themes to be presented; funds for at least the basics expenses that a festival of this caliber requires. - Finally, what lessons have you learned from this experience that you believe are valuable for others embarking on similar initiatives?
Many lessons were learned. In particular, a Festival of this caliber needs committed people who BELIEVE in the project and have the time to dedicate to the project (it is a full-year volunteer commitment). It needs some basic steady funds in order to give continuity and improve the project as it grows.