Dear UNAFF Friends,
As one of the oldest documentary film festivals in the US, UNAFF was established in 1998 to honor the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has grown and earned the respect of audiences and filmmakers alike for its fearless independence and integrity. In addition to providing early outlets for films, many of which later went on to win major awards and accolades, UNAFF prides itself in creating a community forum for discovery and dialogue about different cultures and solutions.
This year UNAFF jurors reviewed almost 600 submissions. The final program will present 70 films from all over the world. To complement the screenings UNAFF is partnering with more than 70 community organizations for seven panels on topics such as climate change, the impact of social media and arts, how dance can transcend barriers of language and race, immigration and children, hate crime and LGBT issues, women poverty and inequality, interracial marriage and tolerance, human trafficking and modern slavery, scientific studies on the effect of meditation on the brain, philanthropy and social change and the passion for producing human rights documentaries.
Our festival continues year round with local film screenings through our UNAFF and Kids and UNAFF in Schools programs we have devoted our attention to the young and to the wiser among us with the UNAFF for Seniors. The UNAFF Panels program provides a platform for some of the best experts addressing challenging topics and our UNAFF Café maintains a steady supply of interesting films and informal discussions. The UNAFF Traveling Film Festival, begun in 2000, has brought global issues to the attention of thousands of people around the US and the world. In partnership with Stanford's Camera As Witness Program, the Stanford Film Society, and the UNA-USA, we continue to leverage the educational potential of UNAFF films by making available our UNAFF Archive of several thousand documentaries for research purposes.
None of this would have been possible without the generous hearts of our supporters and friends.
UNAFF has received praise from academic, civic and community leaders for using the documentary film format to give voice to people who would otherwise go unheard, to highlight vastly different life experiences, and to awaken new understanding of major political, cultural and environmental issues. Our audiences place great value on this important opportunity to acquire perspectives unavailable through mainstream news media. As human rights injustices continue to impact millions of vulnerable individuals throughout the world, it is our hope that you will be moved to embrace the issues our films explore.
As a testimony to the integrity of UNAFF's film selection process, many past UNAFF films have gone on to inspire some of the most spirited appraisals of the power of documentary film with seven winning Academy Awards in the Best Documentary category and 26 receiving nominations.
UNAFF prides itself on its financial and political independence, relying solely on the generosity of the community for support.
We invite you to spread the word about UNAFF to your friends, family, and co-workers. Information about future screening dates and locations, films titles from past festivals, ways to donate, and volunteer opportunities can be found online at unaff.org.
Your tax-deductible contribution is essential for us to continue with our mission. For your convenience, gifts may be made online through a secure PayPal module or by mailing a check payable to UNAFF to
UNAFF 2014
P.O .Box 19369
Stanford, CA 94309
Our fiscal sponsor, Better World Fund UNA Midpeninsula, is a 501 (c) 3 organization.
By attending UNAFF film screenings and through your generous financial support you will have the opportunity to play an active role in upholding human dignity in our global community.
With warmest regards and appreciation,
Jasmina Bojic
Founder and Executive Director
UNAFF and UNAFF Traveling Film Festivals
650 724-5544
