Mr. Media is recorded live before a studio audience of socially irrelevant filmmakers trying to put on a brave face in hopes of being reevaluated for next year’s Socially Relevant Film Festival … in the NEW new media capital of the world… St. Petersburg, Florida! There is a film festival these days for every topic under the sun, so why not one specializing in films perceived as having great social relevance? The 2nd Annual SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York runs from March 16-22 in Manhattan at Tribeca Cinemas, Maysles Cinema and SVA, the School of Visual Arts. It will feature films from more than 30 countries, all connected by a common theme: something is wrong in their society and needs fixing. NORA ARMANI podcast excerpt: "There are a lot of film festivals that program relevant and socially relevant films. But they are not necessarily specialized in that. We specialize. The idea of doing this festival came to me because of the proliferation of violence on-screen and the excessive use of violent forms of moviemaking. It was not necessarily about how many guns we see on the screen or how many explosions. It also has to do with the abrupt cuts, the loud music, and the way of telling a story which is talking down to the audience. Or trying to grab their attention by being even louder and yelling even more. That's what triggered the idea in me." All of these films can be expected to project a strong point-of-view, although it might be too much to expect their perspective on and view of a course correction will be the same. Among the issues tackled by this year’s films: • Gun control & police brutality • Race relations & discrimination • Violence against women & empowering women • LGBT rights • Conflict in the Mideast • The environment & climate change • The US economy & oil rush • Immigration & exile Joining me to talk about this year’s Socially Relevant Film Festival is the event’s founding artistic director, Nora Armani. SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York • • •