Film Festival Unites International Youth Humanitarian Filmmakers

Five minutes can unite youth. Five minutes can unite countries. The film, "United," produced by TXL Films, inspired a whole new generation of young humanitarian filmmakers to came together at this weekend’s Youth for Human Rights International 1st Annual UNITED Film Festival.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 14, 2005 -- Five minutes can unite generations. Five minutes can unite countries. Five minutes can inspire things to happen that even the biggest of us didn’t think were possible. That is what happened Sunday. And it all started with five minutes.

The short film, "United," directed by Taron Lexton of TXL Films has been making waves at film festivals around the world. The film, aimed at teaching kids about human rights, has been praised by such names as the Prince of Monaco, the Undersecretary of the United Nations, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. With over 20 official selections and as many as 8 wins under its belt, "United" has become an international sensation.

Inspired by the impact of this film made by then 19-year old Taron Lexton of TXL Films, Youth for Human Rights International launched a new film festival to encourage youth to make films about human rights issues, by providing a venue for them to showcase their work.

On Sunday, October 2nd,in an unprecedented event, 25 youth delegates representing countries including Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Australia, and India to name a few, gathered at The Los Angeles Film School to participate in the first annual Youth for Human Rights International UNITED Film Festival. The event began with a workshop on filmmaking with celebrity panelists including Austin Smithard– director/producer, Joey Travolta–actor/producer, Lisa London–casting director, and Taron Lexton, director. The workshop was moderated by actress Denise Duff. TXL Films producer, Leslie Brown directed the programming of the festival and worked in coordination with Youth for Human Rights International and the Church of Scientology International who co-organized the weekend of events.

The UNITED Film Festival was part of the 4 day Youth for Human Rights International 2nd Annual Youth Summit which took place in Los Angeles. Entries were received from youth aged 10 to 21 years old from such countries as Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa. Despite their young age, these youth showed tremendous awareness of human rights issues around the world. Topics ranged from growing up in a city with more than 50,000 homeless people, to an inmate mother’s right to see her children once a month, to the simple right to play and be a child.

The evening’s screenings were followed by an emotional awards ceremony where the 18 year-old filmmaker, Nadine Angel Cloete from South Africa, received her 1st place trophy for her film: “Miseducation” about a group of student’s fight against gangs and drugs in order to have a safer education. “I am honored to receive this award,” she said. Awards were also given to Codi-Rose Collins for her film, "Street-Talking Human Rights", and to Jethro Roshe-Kushel, 19 years old, for "Pharaoh's Streets."

The film "United" was produced by TXL Films in coordination with Shuttleworth Leadership Society International (SLSI) for Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI). The purpose of YHRI is to teach kids about human rights.

For additional information or for copies of "United," contact Leslie Brown at TXL Films (323) 663-3898 or visit www.TXLFilms.com. For more information about the international youth summit, visit www.youthforhumanrights.org.

Youth for Human Rights International is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to educate youth in human rights so they become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace.

Contact Information:

Leslie Brown

TXL Films

(323) 663-3983

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