Must all good things come to an end?

Dear Friends,

In 2000, I established the Bridge Film Festival. Unfortunately, I am no longer able to continue to direct the Festival. The dream was for our student filmmakers to have a platform to share their vision of the 21st century for a better and more just world. The Festival connected our Friends’ educational institutions and Meetings around the world significantly, connecting and celebrating our diversity and common values. The BFF has encouraged students to produce intentional, values-based films that have raised awareness of a myriad of issues of concern to our communities.

I especially want to thank the Brooklyn Friends School and the Friends Council on Education for their years of support.  Thanks to all the BFF Committee Members and Judges for their commitment to this endeavor. Above all, thank you to all the schools, Meetings, teachers and student filmmakers for their cinematic contributions and their efforts in support of the festival’s mission.

My sincerest hope is that someone will pick up the reins and carry on the Festival.

 

Remember, let your film speak!

 

In friendship,

Andy Cohen

Ken Burns Knocks Out "Muhammed Ali"

 The reviews are there, and once again Ken Burns illustrates why he is the pre-eminent documentary filmmaker of our time.

CNN -  'Muhammad Ali' lets Ken Burns go four fascinating rounds with the champ's life and legacy

Variety -‘Muhammad Ali,’ a Thorough New Docuseries From Ken Burns and Company, Gives a Complex Icon His Due

New York Times - ‘Muhammad Ali’ Explores the Many Layers of ‘the Greatest’

In full discloser:

The Bridge Film Festival will always be grateful for the kindness and support of Ken Burns.

Cheers and Tears

Princeton Friends School Students win "The Big One"

Two notes from Abby Botts film Advisor:

Hi Andy!

I wanted to let you know that Bota and I watched the awards show with the kids on Friday morning. None of them knew about the award at that time. There were many cheers and tears of joy when their film was announced..it was a very special moment! I'm attaching a photo of the group so that you can see how happy they are, even through the masks. :-) Thanks so much..what a fantastic experience!

All the best,

Abby

Hi Andy,

Sure, feel free to use the photo and my note. I'll also send you what the students put together to send home in our Weekly Bulletin to PFS families on Friday. You are welcome to use any of it as well. Many of them recognized Ken Burns and thought it was pretty amazing that he was in the awards show! 

Best,

Abby

“On October 2, 2020, Abby and Bota introduced us to the Bridge Film Festival. We decided to do the project and had a great time. There were bumps and bruises, no doubt, but we made a production that made us smile. And then, on April 23, 2021, the Festival Judging began. We were in the Narrative category, and we thought we didn’t get an award at all when we saw that another school had won in that category. We all were dying down when we saw that we, yes we, had won the Spirit of the Festival award. The Big One. The “Oscar for Quakers.” That is what this trophy is for.”  

“Let your Film Speak!”

-Ken Burns

The Envelope Please!

Judges' Choice Awards 2021

Documentary Award: Seeger's Seek of Truth, George School

Narrative Award: Integritas, George School

New Media Award: New to the Woods, New Garden Friends School

Public Service Announcement Award: Choose Your Own Future, New Garden Friends School

Spirit of the Festival Award: Colored in Black, Princeton Friends School



Below are the Judge's Advices for all the films and tabs to the scoring for all the categories.

Entries are evaluated on communication skills, creativity, technical quality, quaker relevancy, and originality. The Spirit of the Festival award goes to the entry that best exemplifies the mission of the festival.

Eli and Fence Double Award Winners from New Garden Friends School

Tune into the Judges' Choice Awards 2021

Click here or on the image to join us!