KDocs, Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s official documentary film festival, is back in 2019 with a double bill of award-winning documentaries, RBG and Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
RBG is a 2018 documentary focused on the life and career of Ruth Badar Ginsburg. In addition to fighting gender discrimination and being an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Ginsburg is now a pop culture icon.
The second documentary focuses on a beloved childhood icon known as Mister Rogers. The film, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, features the life and work of Fred Rogers, the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The show ran on television for 31 seasons from 1968 to 2001.
“It is our hope that people will come away feeling both informed and inspired about what is possible, even as just one person,” says Janice Morris, festival director of KDocs. “We want to present examples of social justice successes that have been hard-fought over many years of persistence, experience, and expertise.
“Both films profile individuals who, through very different methods and pathways, found a way to reach an audience with their message.”
The event will feature a keynote speaker and a panel discussion. The keynote speaker is Ellen Woodsworth, a former Vancouver city councillor, a current consultant on urban issues, and founder and chairperson of the advocacy organization Women Transforming Cities. Panelists include:
- Mebrat Beyene – executive director, WISH Foundation
- Cicely Blain – co-founder, Black Lives Matter – Vancouver
- Chastity Davis – chairperson, Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women for the Province of B.C.
- Anita Huberman – chief executive officer, Surrey Board of Trade
- Debra Parkes – UBC professor and chair, Centre for Feminist Legal Studies
- Jinny Sims – Surrey-Panorama MLA
“This is a panel of formidable women from diverse backgrounds and industries – not-for-profit, community building, activism, indigenous rights and governance, law, education, and politics,” explains Morris.
“The intent is to use these films as a springboard and for the speakers/panelists to share with us their experience and expertise on the realities of being an activist, organizer, professional, and changemaker with various systems of power.”
The KDocs Spring Mini-Fest in the Conference Centre at KPU Surrey, 12666 72 Avenue, on February 6 starts with a reception at 3:30 p.m., followed by a keynote address and a 4:30 p.m. screening of RBG. A panel discussion at 6 p.m. precedes the presentation of Won’t You Be My Neighbor? at 7:15 p.m.
The event is free for the public, but attendees must reserve a seat for each film by emailing rbg@kpu.ca and/or neighbour@kpu.ca. For more information and the full schedule, visit http://www.kdocsff.com/upcoming-events.