Young Jordanian Filmmakers Join MHz Education in International Idea Exchange

FALLS CHURCH, VA -- Filmmaking and youth development were the focus March 20 at a MHz Education presentation to a visiting group of 10 young Jordanian filmmakers.

Elizabeth Pringle, Director of Education at MHz Networks, discussed methods of empowering young people to capture their own stories on video. She talked about digital learning as the key literacy in today’s classroom and discussed MHz’s filmmaking curriculum for students and teachers. Alyssa Baer, Education Media Specialist and Agatha Jenkins, Education Outreach Specialist, both with MHz Education, also discussed their experiences in developing outreach programs and teaching creative media.

MHz Networks is both a television broadcaster and an educational organization, with long-standing partnerships in over 500 schools in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. MHz Networks Education supports educators through face-to-face and online staff development opportunities, aligned with national standards, while encouraging creativity and fostering intercultural understanding. Education Resources also provides instructional programming and original educational film curriculum to schools in the community.

Shawn Davis, Program Officer, Center for International Exchanges at the Academy for Educational Development, a supporter & scheduler of the gathering, said information exchanges such as this one are important, “The attendees and presenters at this event indicate their support of international digital arts, as well as the exchange of dialogue where creative media is the common language.”

The students are visiting the US on a three-week program sponsored by the U.S. State Department in collaboration with the Royal Jordanian Film Commission.

Students also learned about The Shortie Awards, the national film festival produced by MHz Networks Education to promote, support and award creativity of young filmmakers ages 7-18.

Launched in 2001, The Shortie Awards, take on a new characterization in this their seventh year, with the promotion of international digital media for youth.

“Young people throughout the globe are producing creative, exciting films and it is time that these films become available for more people to enjoy,” said Elizabeth Pringle.

In support, MHz and The Shortie Awards are launching a new television show in fall 2008, featuring award winners and outstanding submitted films from the awards.

The brand personality, Shortie, will be unveiling a new format of himself in the weekly hour-long ‘best-of’ presentation of international youth films on MHz Worldview. Shortie will guide viewers through each program with lessons and messages that unite the theme of each show.

Films broadcast on MHz Worldview will reach over 15 million homes throughout the nation via broadcast, cable and satellite.

The aim of MHz Networks is to bring additional light to the area of youth involved in creative media, but also house a consortium of excellent content from around the globe showcased both on-air and online. The hope is to attract young filmmakers such as those who attended the MHz Education presentation.

The Shortie Awards and MHz Education are reaching out and partnering with youth film festivals in the US and throughout the world, as well as seeking support from MHz Worldview affiliates and broadcast partners.

For more information on support, sponsorships or endorsement of this education and empowerment mission, please contact epringle@mhznetworks.org.

Contact:
Stephanie Misar
8101 A Lee Highway
Falls Church, VA 22042
703-770-7100
www.mhznetworks.org

MHz Networks is an independent, non-commercial television broadcaster delivering international educational and arts programming and providing diverse cultural perspectives for a globally-minded audience.

MHz Worldview, MHz Networks flagship channel, brings programming to globally-minded audiences in the US though affiliates, including cable, satellite and online. Serving the Washington, DC area’s 4.9 million residents with eight local broadcast channels, MHz Networks features programs from around the world on-air in more than 20 different languages.

A division of Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation headquartered in Richmond, VA, MHz Networks is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. MHz has studio facilities in Falls Church, VA and at Washington, DC’s Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.