Windrider Toronto 2008

We would like to extend deep appreciation to Dr.George Sumner for his openness to trying something different, and to Rev. Annette Brownlee for her leadership at Wycliffe College in pulling together a very successful 1st annual Windrider @ Wycliffe event. Many thanks also to staff, students and the many faculty who came, helped out and participated. Also to John Franklin, Marion Franklin and the Imago team – what a great kick-off reception – thanks so much!

Thanks to all of you who took time out of your busy Toronto lives, and came and participated. We hope you all enjoyed it. If you didn’t have the chance to take it in, we are sure you are hearing that you missed an interesting and thought-provoking series of evenings. To those of you who got the word out and / or brought friends, many thanks. And, a special word of thanks to Dr. Brian Walsh, who brought his class to a film that dealt with deep realities of homelessness, To Die in Jerusalem.

And who could forget those of you who came back a second and third night. It was wonderful to see people wanting to stay for as long as possible in a conversation that did not finish.

We believe that this event, in its formational stages, stands to become deeply significant for Toronto. We are pleased to be partnering with Wycliffe College, and organizations such as Imago, and look forward to future events that lead to deep reflection, discussion and action.

We also want to thank the filmmakers, Hilla Medalia, Vince DiPersio, Alison Thompson and Oscar Gubernati who gave of their time to be a part of all the evenings. (Coming in from New York and Los Angeles to be with us.) John Priddy - Priddy Brothers & Windrider Forum, and Will Stoller-Lee - Fuller Seminary Colorado and Windrider Forum, worked with us to make W@W happen and played key roles in each evening’s event. We wouldn’t have been here without their vision.

For the entire Windrider @ Wycliffe team,    

Imbi Medri-Kinnon, Event Producer

Board Member, story umbrella

Managing Director, mkpl.tv

 

First Evening, Screening and Q&A, To Die in Jerusalem

200+ people gathered in Sheraton Hall, Wycliffe College for the first night of Windrider @ Wycliffe. Our first film presentation, To Die in Jerusalem generated a lot of discussion during the Q & A session after the screening. And that conversation continued in the wonderful reception put on by Imago, after the Q & A.

To Die in Jerusalem

With three nominations for this year’s Emmy Awards® (September 22, 2008), a 2007 Peabody Award and numerous other awards, To Die in Jerusalem is, ”one of the five films not to miss at the Hamptons Film festival today” – Jan Stewart, Newsday, “Heartbreaking and Provocative” – Heather Havrilesky, Salon.com, and “Beautifully structured and emotionally devastating” – Marilyn Moss, The Hollywood Reporter.

Dave Biancullia of the New York Daily News says, “Filmmaker Hilla Medalia accompanies Rachel’s mother, Abigail, but doesn’t take sides. Instead, she serves as a witness, recording reactions as both mothers try to come to terms with their grief” and “But the second thing about peace, which To Die in Jerusalem suggests is even tougher, is listening”

Producer/Director Hilla Medalia is joined by Executive Producers John Priddy and Ed Priddy of Priddy Brothers Films at this year’s Windrider Forum @ Wycliffe College to screen and discuss, To Die in Jerusalem.

In this interview with Dick Staub, the Priddy brothers discuss the connection between the Windrider Forum and their production of To Die in Jerusalem.

The Big Question

Award-Winning Director Vince DiPersio joins the Windrider Forum @ Wycliffe College for the screening of his film, The Big Question. This powerful film has been an Official Selection for multiple film festivals including the 2008 International Film Festival England, the 2008 Atlanta Film Festival and the 2008 Sedona International Film Festival.

In this remarkable new film Paulist Pictures and Vince DiPersio explore The Big Questionthrough astonishing acts of forgiveness, courage and will. What would you do? Could you forgive? Should you forgive?

The Director: Variety calls Vince DiPersio “A genuine iconoclastic talent worth applauding.” Vince has received three Academy Award nominations, three Emmys, prizes from film festivals around the world and the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Journalism. Vince brings a level of passion and excitement to every project he embarks on.

Visit the The Big Question website for more information.

THIRD WAVE

Director Alison Thompson and Producer Oscar Gubernati join the Windrider Forum @ Wycliffe College for the screening of their film, The Third Wave.

The film was presented by Sean Penn at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Penn said this, ”THE THIRD WAVE is truly a must-see for ourselves, our children and everyone we know, for anyone who has two good legs and a dollar in their pocket. It inspires the very best in us, just when we need that most. It comes as close to answering our purpose in life as any film in recent memory.”

Directed by Alison Thompson and produced by Oscar Gubernati, The Third Wave tells the captivating story of volunteers drawn to Sri Lanka to help the Tsunami-devastated island – without any sending organizations.