Wow – what an exciting few weeks. Here, we were on the edge of our second-hand seats (thanks Stop Climate Chaos for the free chairs), as election fever unfurled, parliament was hung, the Prime Minister resigned, and a new, never-would-have-thought-it government formed. Ironically, on the night the Con-Lib Dem deal was finally struck, we saw One Night in Turin – a James Erskine film documenting the violence and hooliganism of British soccer fans during the last years of Thatcher’s government, and how Bobby Robson’s 1990 World Cup Team united a nation in disgrace. Plus, we also liked give your vote, a brilliant idea by film-maker, political researcher and our colleague James Sadri – giving citizens in Afghanistan, Ghana and Bangladesh the opportunity to vote in the UK General Election.

In the midst of these changing political times, we’re looking forward to the summer festival scene! In association with Good With Film we’ll be screening some of the best docs of 2009 & 2010 – including Burma VJ, Dirty Oil and The Yes Men Fix the World. Thanks to the solar powered Groovy Movie Picture House we’ll have a great cinematic and ‘green’ venue at Glastonbury, Lounge on the Farm (Canterbury) and Stokes Bay (Wickham). And at the Greenbelt Arts Festival in Cheltenham, late August, we’ll have films and panel discussions a plenty. Do keep an eye on our website for programme plans and screening times.

Essential Viewing

In the Land of the Free tells the compelling story of US prisoners Herman Wallace, Albert Woofox and Robert King, between them, sentenced to almost a century in solitary confinement for a crime the evidence suggests they probably didn’t commit. Today, Herman and Albert are still being held in solitary confinement. The film tells their personal story, documents the campaign for justice, and follows the legal case to free the final two. Log on to www.inthelandofthefreefilm.com for trailer and screening info.

The Alberta Tar Sands is big-doc news again as the new Peter Mettler film, Petropolis is released this month – another one from The Co-operative and Dogwoof. Shot primarily from a helicopter, Mettler takes us on hypnotic flight of image and sound across giant oil reserves, where Canadian wilderness meets large-scale industrial efforts with devastating impacts on the environment. Effects that will be felt far beyond Alberta. To watch the trailer, order the DVD, or to take action log on to www.petropolis-film.com. Plus, as part of the campaign, The Co-operative are offering £500 for the most creative idea (posters, short-films, photos or animations) to highlight the issue.

We haven’t seen this one yet but it looks right up our street. Bananas the movie follows Juan “Accidentes” Dominguez on his biggest case ever. On behalf of twelve Nicaraguan banana workers he is tackling Dole Food in a ground-breaking legal battle for their use of a banned pesticide that was known by the company to cause sterility. Watch the trailer www.bananasthemovie.com

Project News

The Road to Bethlehem
Leila Sansour’s film is now moving towards the final stage of editing. At the same time, we are now starting to plan the outreach campaign that will accompany The Road to Bethlehem. We also continue to raise funds for post production as well as outreach and have recently secured a further £10k towards the film’s completion budget. Click here to find out what Leila’s been up to and the latest from Bethlehem.

Cashback
As the development of Cashback progresses, the story around tax and developing countries continues to be a lively issue. ‘Blowing the Whistle: Time’s Up for Financial Secrecy’, a new report from Cashback supporter and development agency Christian Aid, reveals how the same tax-haven secrecy that allows football club owners to hide their business practices – and even their identities – is also facilitating massive tax dodging in developing countries. To download the report or find out what you can do visit Christian Aid. And if you want a simple intro to why tax matters to developing nations check out this video by Global Financial Integrity.

Contact us to find out how you can support Road to Bethlehem or Cashback.

Want to support Tipping Point Film Fund?

Volunteer at the festivals this summer! We need you for a couple of hours at Glastonbury, Lounge on the Farm, Stokes Bay and Greenbelt. If you’re already going and would like to get involved, drop us a line

Run a film night for a good cause! Good screenings will calculate the cost of your film licence according to who you are, where you screen and how many people you’re screening to. Any profits you make can be kept by you, your organisation, campaign or cause – including TPFF!

Support challenging films that inspire campaigning by visiting our website to make a donation, follow us on Twitter or become a fan of our page on Facebook.

Dates for your diary

Co-operative Fortnight, 19 June to 3 July
For 14 days, up and down the country, co-operatives like TPFF will be promoting their work! Find out what’s happening near you.

Glastonbury (25-26 June), Lounge on the Farm (10-11 July) and Stokes Bay (6-7 August)
Join TPFF at the Groovy Movie Picture House. We’ll be showing Burma VJ, Dirty Oil and The Yes Men Fix the World. Check out our website for screening times.

Screening of Great African Scandal plus Q&A, 29 June at 6.30pm
Unite Trade Union, Venture Community Centre, 103a Wornington Road, W10 5YB
Near Ladbroke Grove Tube Station

Greenbelt Arts Festival, 27-30 August
Check out our website for details of films and speakers nearer the time.

And Finally

We’d like to wish you a very happy May and June and we hope the sun comes out to brighten your day.

With best wishes,
from Deborah, Emma, Thea and all at Tipping Point Film Fund.
PS Keep a look out for news of our brand new 360 film club – coming soon!