Shout Out to TTV & The Fair Trade Film Festival Committee!

As a newbie to the Austin area and advocate for responsible international development, I came across Ten Thousand Villages.  Since volunteering at their store on South Congress, I have met the most amazing people! The TTV team are a fantastic group of chicas!  To boot, I’m on the 2^nd annual Fair Trade Film Festival Committee, which is a great expression of the strong community of Fair Trade supporters here in Austin.

We have three fantastic events planned to raise awareness, celebrate World Fair Trade Day and, of course to have fun!

1. Thursday 5/12: The Fair Trade Short Film Screening will help us kick off the weekend right by showing off local talent and will be a great outing for the whole family!
2. Friday 5/13: Our Sommelier-Led Fair Trade Wine and Chocolate Pairing is sure to be delicious with chocolate provided by Divine and Theo, and antipasti provided by Central Market, Yummmm!!
3. Saturday 5/14: And last but not least,  for the Fair Trade Film Festival we are screening some amazing films that are full of depth and purpose, which are sure to raise great debates for our panelists on the complexities and challenges of Fair Trade.  Film tickets are $20 that includes a guaranteed seat at one of the documentaries, a $10 food/drink credit (Badass Queso, anyone?), AND an opportunity to participate in the fascinating panel discussions taking place after the documentary. Want to buy your film tickets? You can do so here! In addition, bustling around the Alamo will be our Global Market full of local organizations that carry Fair Trade and sustainable products such as Weavers of Hope and Handmade Expressions, accompanied by an awesome line up of bands such as Laura Graf and Wino Vino that are coming out to show their support!    So swing on buy and grab a homemade, fair trade sugar snow cone (yeah, you heard that right… fair trade snow cones) and enjoy the music!

Seriously, you DON’T want to miss any part of the action going on this weekend. So get ready to be a part of one of the best celebrations of World Fair Trade Day!

Austin Fair Trade Film Festival Recommended by Green America!

100,000 Expected to Participate in World Fair Trade Day Events Across North America

Hundreds of sessions to educate the public on the benefits of fair trade and provide samples of products from around the globe

Submitted by: Green America

Categories: Fair Trade & Supply Chain, Events

Posted: May 04, 2011 – 01:30 PM EST

WASHINGTON, D.C., May. 04 /CSRwire/ – A record 100,000 people across the US and Canada are expected to participate in hundreds of events over the next two weeks to mark World Fair Trade Day, which is May 14, 2011. Cities, towns, churches, groups and individuals are planning events to highlight social, economic, and environmental benefits to buying Fair Trade. The events include Fair Trade festivals, Fair Trade coffee breaks, webinars and Fair Trade artisan tours among others.

For information about World Fair Trade Day events in your area or to find out more information about the benefits of buying Fair Trade, go to http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/.

Many Americans are unaware how many day-to-day items are produced in abusive labor conditions which include sweatshops and child labor. These items include clothing, furniture, and foods such as coffee, chocolate, and sugar. The Fair Trade system helps producers and suppliers earn a living wage and take steps to protect the environment. It also serves to empower individuals and communities, support women’s and children’s rights, promote dignity and respect, and connect developing nations with developed nations and markets.

World Fair Trade Day national campaign coordinator, and Executive Director, Fair Trade Resource Network Jeff Goldman, said: “the meaningful activities comprising this largest Fair Trade event in North America allow adults and kids to learn about empowering marginalized people while celebrating justice and sustainability with hundreds of thousands worldwide.“

Examples of World Fair Trade Day events around the U.S. include:

• Texas. Austin Fair Trade Film Festival, May 12-14 at various locations. Events include a short film competition, a Fair Trade wine and chocolate pairing event, and the Fair Trade film festival and global market.
• Illinois. Chicago World Fair Trade Day celebration, May 6, 2011 at Daly Plaza. Companies will be selling Fair Trade gifts, coffee, chocolate, and more and there will be programs and world music played throughout the day. Additionally there will be a Fair Trade pavilion at the Chicago Green Festival on May 14-15 at McCormick Place in Lakeside, IL where non-profits and Fair Trade vendors will be on hand.
• New York State. Several upstate events are planned, including a World Fair Trade Day celebration in Albany on May 13th at the Ten Thousand Villages store, and a Fair Trade/Coffee Break Celebration in Rochester on May 14th at One World Goods.
• Oregon. A variety of events in Portland to include an informational Fair Trade 101 Panel Discussion at Kells Irish Pub on May 9th, and the St. Andrew/Catholic Relief Services World Fair Trade Day celebration on May 15th featuring music, food, crafts, and informational talks.
• Florida. A Fair Trade wine tasting in Orlando on May 15, at the Lake Eola Farmers Market. This event will also feature food, live music, and local craft vendors.

Major sponsors of World Fair Trade Day include nonprofit and faith-based organizations, such as Green America, Catholic Relief Services, Fair Trade Towns and Fair Trade USA, as well as retail companies, such as Ben and Jerry’s, Fair Trade Apparel, Green Mountain Coffee, Lucuma Designs, Wholesome Sweeteners, and Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. Regular sponsors include Fair for Life Social & Fairtrade Certified, Fair World Project, Global Exchange, Indigenous Designs, Maggie’s Organics, Theo Chocolate and WorldofGood.com by eBay.

ABOUT FAIR TRADE RESOURCE NETWORK

Founded in 1999, the Fair Trade Resource Network (FTRN) seeks to build a more just and sustainable world by gathering, developing, and disseminating educational resources about Fair Trade. FTRN is the only non-profit organization in the world focused exclusively on Fair Trade education, helping people to better understand the impact of their buying decisions.

For more information, please contact:

Jeff Goldman Executive Director – FTRN

Phone: (917) 464-5558

Leslie Anderson

Phone: (703) 276-3256

For more from this organization:

Green America

Austin Fair Trade Film Festival News!

2nd Annual Fair Trade Film Festival Gets a Makeover!

Thanks to Alan Bird Graphic Design, the AFTFF ’11 has a sweet new look!

Check out our beautiful new flyer for the 2011 Film Festival!

Film Fest T-Shirts Arrive Just In Time!

 It’s always good to “talk the talk,” but it’s even better to “walk the walk”!

This year, the Film Fest t-shirts are ethically sourced and FAIRLY TRADED

by Maquiladora Dignidad y Justicia presented by North Country!

We know you want to be a trendsetter at the Film Fest on Saturday, so come and buy yours at the store ASAP!

Fair Trade Film Festival 2011

“TTV Volunteers Show Support, But Still Need More!”

A HUGE thanks to everyone who has already donated and contacted Alice May about volunteering at the Film Fest!

We still need at least 22 more volunteers and have $5,700 to go for donations.

With your help, we can get there!  If you would like to donate, check out our donation packages!)

“Film Fest Makes Friends With Social Media!”

Are you on Facebook? Check out the event invitation page and be sure to invite all of your friends.

Word of mouth will be a huge key to the success of this event!

For those of you on Twitter, the event has it’s own account!

Follow @FT_FilmFest for minute-to-minute updates on what’s going on with the event.

Tickets!! Get Your Tickets!!

Tickets for the First Annual Fair Trade Film Festival are NOW ON SALE!

Ten Thousand Villages of Austin Presents
1st Annual Austin Fair Trade Film Festival
Location: Alamo South Lamar

Austin’s contribution to the international celebration of World Fair Trade Day.

Feel passionately about fair trade and social justice issues? Help us spread the word. You can help make this an Austin tradition!

An all day event featuring indoor and outdoor entertainment.

• 3 documentary films followed by panel discussions
• Entertaining pre-shows, including short film
• Delicious Alamo food and drinks
• Free Fair Trade Market in Alamo Breezeway
• Free Artisan demonstrations
• Free live music and performances

Help us meet our fundraising goal here!
The first 100 donors receive a $25 gift card to Novica

Event Schedule
Session 1: 12-2:30pm
Preshow + short film: Fair Trade Coffee Production in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Presented by Texas Coffee Traders
Feature film: BUYER BE FAIR: The Promise of Product Certification
Panel discussion: Fair Trade Certification: Is it worth the effort?
• RC Beall–CEO of Texas Coffee Traders
• Julie Irwin, PhD–Professor of Marketing, McCombs School of Business
• Michael Conroy, PhD—Author, economist, Chairman of the Board, Transfair USA
• Ryan McElroy, co-owner of Thunderbird Coffee
• Mike McKim, President and CEO of Cuvee Coffee Roasting Company

Session 2: 3-5:30pm
Preshow + short film: “Fair Trade Coffee Production in the Monteverde Cloud Forest” Presented by Texas Coffee Traders
Feature film: MAQUILAPOLIS (City of Factories)
Panel discussion: Fighting from Within: Worker influence and control in the maquiladoras
• Josefina Castillo–Co-founder of the Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera project; 2010 recipient of the Austin Woman Humanitarian Award.
• Terry Newton, PhD—Professor of Mexican History, St. Edward’s University
• Sharla Megilligan, Executive Director of Makarios International

Session 3: 6-8:30pm
Preshow + short film: “Fair Trade Coffee Production in the Monteverde Cloud Forest” Presented by Texas Coffee Traders
Feature film: THE PRICE OF SUGAR
Panel discussion: Humanity and Affordability in the U.S.: Do we have to make a choice?
• Robert Jensen, PhD–Author; Professor of Journalism, UT Austin; Board of Directors, Third Coast Activist
• Manish Gupta–Founder of Handmade Expressions
• Bob Cash–State director of the Texas Fair Trade Coalition, an affiliate of the national Citizens Trade Campaign

Proudly Presented by:
Ten Thousand Villages
Texas Coffee Traders

Major Sponsorship:
Handmade Expressions
Transfair USA
Novica
Texas Fair Trade Coalition
Eastside Cafe
Dominican Joe, in partnership with Makarios International

Supporting Sponsorship:
Maine Root Handcrafted Beverages
Austin Local & Fair Trade
Ethical City
Marigold-Gateway to India
Etnik Fashions

Donations for admission to each show are available through Alamo Drafthouse ticketing systems outlets, although this is a privately contracted event.

Kid Policy: 18 and up; Children 6 and up will be allowed only with a parent or guardian. No children under the age of 6 will be allowed.

Screenings (click on a show time to buy tickets):
Saturday, May 08, 2010 (No Passes)
12:00pm/3:00pm/6:00p