Ithaca College

The American Film Showcase, a special project of the US State Department, has reappointed Patricia R. Zimmermann, professor of Screen Studies and codirector of the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF), as a documentary and new media expert for their film envoy program.

This appointment is Zimmermann’s eighth as a US State Department Film Envoy as a scholar and programmer of both analog and digital documentary practices and forms.  For the American Film Showcase and the US State Department, Zimmermann has worked in China, Guinea, and Ukraine, delivering lectures, moderating post-screening discussions, and conducting workshops on documentary, new media, and environmental and human rights film festivals.

The American Film Showcase brings award-winning contemporary American documentary and independent narrative films to audiences around the world, offering a view of American society and culture as seen by independent filmmakers.

Funded by a grant from the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and administered by the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts (SCA), the Showcase highlights the value of film in fostering understanding and cooperation, dialogue and debate. The AFS films explore diverse topics including civil rights, disabilities, social justice, sports, freedom of the press, technology and the environment.

The Showcase’s objectives are: To provide opportunities for international audiences to become exposed to American viewpoints on socially relevant issues explored in AFS films; to spread an understanding of the role of filmmaking as a catalyst for dialogue, exploring solutions to contemporary problems, and self-expression; to encourage American filmmakers and film experts to learn about life and culture in selected host countries.