Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival

The Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival announces a call for submissions for the 9th Annual Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival with a new screenwriting competition, featuring pilots and screenplays! This year the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival will include a script competition open to television, film and stage genres; depicting summit related subject matter, i.e., whistleblowing, freedom of speech, civil rights, human rights and social justice. The Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival won a "Best of the Fests" award as a breakthrough Arts, Film & Culture festival from FestForums 2019, which recognizes North America's leading festivals. http://www.festforums.com/best-of-the-fests --------------------------------- Official Statement on COVID-19 As the world is grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact, our hearts go out to all who have been affected. In light of the rapidly unfolding events of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we want to update you on the 2022 Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival as we take the health and safety of our participants very seriously. You have no doubt heard of the growing concern around COVID-19 and the impact it is having on events across the country. Major events have been impacted including sporting events and cultural festivals. We hope to return to a live event or hybrid live event with virtual presentations by July 2022.However, the safety of our participants is of utmost importance and is a priority for the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival. As of today, ACORN 8 will continue to plan the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival for 2022. However, we are scheduling an online conference and virtual presentation of the film festival ending the week of July 30th to celebrate National Whistleblower Day. As changes occur, we will keep you aware of any changes to our plans. --------------------------------- The Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival is the intersection between media, politics, culture and entertainment. Whistleblower stories (books and movies) are as American as apple pie. Come to the only Washington, DC film festival with event on Capitol Hill. Rub elbows with famous whistleblowers like Frank Serpico and Jeff Wigand or meet political leaders like Senator Charles Grassley, Representative Elijah Cummings and “Jonestown” survivor, Representative Jackie Speier. There is not free press without news sources. There can be no Congressional oversight without government informants. Whistleblowers are the “Fifth Estate” protecting freedom and liberty. Over the last decade members from the Make it Safe Coalition (MISC) have arranged an assembly of whistleblowers in Washington, DC each year for an annual conference originally known as Washington Whistleblower’s Week. During that time members of the Make it Safe Coalition have passed thirteen laws, including No FEAR and the WPEA, conducted congressional lobby days, provided Continuing Legal Education training, written Op-Eds, published magazines and books, hosted radio shows, provided mentoring and lawyer referrals, penned sign-on letters, submitted amicus briefs, written columns and law review articles, made television appearances, produced plays / theatrical productions, showcased a film series, held protest rallies at the White House and on the National Mall. Whistleblowers have even “occupied” government agencies and hosted both national and regional conferences in: Washington (DC), New York (NY), Baltimore (MD), Atlanta (GA), Chicago (IL), Houston (TX), Los Angeles (CA) and Little Rock (AR). ACORN 8 and the host committee are proud to announce the theme for the Whistleblower Summit last year was a Salute to the 05th Anniversary of the Pentagon Papers and the Rise of Investigative Journalism. The Whistleblower Summit includes historic panel discussions with distinguished authors of whistleblower books followed by film screenings of “Pillar Award” nominated films and documentaries. Thus “Movie Night” with the whistleblowers was one of the highlights of our annual summit, because it gave whistleblowers, advocates and conference attendees an opportunity to interact with the general public in a relaxed atmosphere that promotes camaraderie and builds broad community support. We are a coalition of individual whistleblowers, grassroots activists, public interest advocates and policy makers. We provide a sense of community and mutual support for whistleblowers or civil and human rights activists. During the conference, we also present the Pillar Award for Human Rights. The Pillar is awarded to notable civil and human rights champions; previous recipients include Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Senator Charles “Chuck” Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO). The Pillar is awarded to politicians, community activists and journalists—including documentary filmmakers. The Whistleblower Summit recognizes that cinema is a powerful medium for highlighting civil and human rights violations across the globe. It seeks to shine a light on stories of courage and perseverance in the face of injustice, and to encourage individuals to stand together to achieve human rights for all. Consequently, we are pleased to announce the opening of submissions for its annual film festival, which will take place in July 2019. We are looking for films about whistleblowers, the First Amendment or that touch on one or several human rights issues that are connected to our areas of work including but not limited to freedom of expression, women’s rights, discrimination, communal violence, and defending human rights. The themes mentioned are not exhaustive; films centered on other civil and human rights issues are equally welcome for submission.