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Donald Griffith

A COMPLEXION CHANGE - International, Intercultural Diplomacy

MISSION STATEMENT

Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre /
Black International Cinema /
The Collegium - Forum & Television Program Berlin

in association with
Cultural Zephyr e.V.

...are an international, intercultural community of persons engaged in achieving increasing understanding and cooperation between individuals and groups in support of democratic procedures and the elimination of violence, religious, ethnic and gender persecution, youth exploitation, homophobia and racial hatred through the process of art, education, culture and dialogue.

MOTTOES

"I MAY NOT MAKE IT IF I TRY, BUT I DAMN SURE WON'T IF I DON'T..."
Oscar Brown Jr.

"MANKIND WILL EITHER FIND A WAY OR MAKE ONE."
C. P. Snow

"WHATEVER YOU DO..., BE COOL!"
Joseph Louis Turner

"YES, I CAN...!"
Sammy Davis Jr.

"YES, WE CAN...!"
Barack Obama

Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre is a production, performance and distribution unit, which was initiated and developed by Prof. Gayle McKinney Griffith and Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith, both experienced artists from the U.S.A.
Fountainhead® engages people from various national, cultural, ethnic, socio-economic, religious backgrounds, and sexual identities, and works in a variety of artistic and cultural areas, with the goal of creating, experiencing and communicating intercultural exchange within its projects and to the world community.
Since its founding in 1980, Berlin/Germany, Fountainhead® has presented a variety of international, intercultural and interdisciplinary productions in the areas of dance, theatre, film festivals, television programming, film distribution, publications, seminars, exhibitions, workshops and musical presentations.
One of the productions is the annually presented Black International Cinema Berlin, which was founded by Fountainhead® in 1986 in Berlin/Germany and since then, has been produced on a regular basis in Berlin/Germany, other European and US-American cities.
Black International Cinema Berlin originated from the Black Cultural Festival, which was produced and directed by Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre in 1986 for the first time in Europe, a 3-week event in Berlin, which presented the contributions of Black people to world culture through film, theater, dance, music, workshops and seminars, and was an homage to the legendary tap dancer, Carnell Lyons.
The venues were the Theatermanufaktur am Halleschen Ufer from March 3-16, music – dance – theatre; Hochschule der Künste Berlin on March 11, symposium; Kino Arsenal from March 17-23, film.
Organization and Artistic Direction: Prof. Gayle McKinney Griffith (USA/Berlin), Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith (USA/Berlin), Donald Muldrow McKinney Griffith II (USA/Berlin), Dr. Ntongela Masilela (South Africa);
in cooperation with: Prof. Dr. Abdul Alkalimat (USA), Uazuvara Ewald Katjivena (Namibia), Getinet Belay (Ethiopia), Joliba Africa Center; Organization: Erika Gregor (Arsenal Cinema, Germany); Organization Assistance: Annette Koschmieder (Germany)

Additionally, Fountainhead® produces and directs since the founding in 1995, the weekly intercultural television magazine program THE COLLEGIUM – Forum & Television Program Berlin, broadcast Sundays from 7-8 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11-12 p.m. at Alex - Open Channel Berlin, and furthermore televised in Magdeburg, Wolfsburg, Dessau and additional cities.
In 1990 Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre established Cultural Zephyr e.V. as a not for profit organization, which administers the cultural and artistic undertakings of Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre.

Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre / Black International Cinema Berlin / The Collegium - Forum & Television Program Berlin / Cultural Zephyr e.V.

Greetings
from the Commissioner for Integration of the district Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Berlin
to the XXV. Black International Cinema Berlin 2010

Migration has always – nowadays and in the past – created a multicultural reality.
To acknowledge this fact and to anchor it in the center of society, remains a significant task for the coming years.

Despite the current efforts in the debate regarding integration politics, to acknowledge “diversity” being an “enrichment”, old ideas are still prevalent that there exists a “homo­genous majority” in the center of society, to which “foreign minorities” are challenged to assimilate.

In contrast to this I would like to point out: the city’s society of Berlin is heterogeneous, people from different ways of life live here, together in active and dynamic connections. On the way to an urban society acknowledgement of a changed societal complexion, is a first step.

Not only portraying this diversity, but furthermore to actively realize it requires an open dialogue on a level playing field, equal opportunities and the right to participate.

Art and culture can build bridges, cross borders and pull away from stereotypical categorized thinking. Therefore, initiatives such as Black International Cinema Berlin are important for the capital of Germany.

In 2010, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Black International Cinema Berlin.
I extend my congratulations to the organizers of Black International Cinema Berlin,
a cultural highlight which is unique Germany-wide.

I wish the events many guests and for all of us, new inspiration.

Gabriele Gün Tank
Commissioner for Integration of the district Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Berlin/Germany

Comments (5)

Re: Donald Griffith

Congratulations on your many accomplishments! I think that your projects might be appealing to Miami audiences, and I would hope that you would consider doing something that would appeal to the extremely diverse population in Miami. Very best regards, Elisa Turner, art critic in Miami

Elisa Turner
,
29 Mar 2010, 19:18

Re: Donald Griffith

Dear Ms Turner,
Thank you for your gracious support & we look forward to cooperating with you in the realization of our presentation.
Best Wishes,
Donald Muldrow Griffith
http://www.tulip-photo.de/Fountainhead-Tanz-g-Theatre-g.450.0.html

Donald Griffith
,
4 Apr 2010, 15:22

Linkages

Wonderful to find out about while we struggle to develop Caribbean film and connect this to international efforts! Congrats and looking forward.
Best regards

Oonya Kempadoo
,
30 Apr 2010, 17:38

Film Festival-Exhibition 2013

... I may not make it if I try, but I damn sure won"t if I don"t...
Oscar Brown Jr.

Donald Griffith
,
8 Sep 2012, 21:21

THE COLLEGIUM Forum & Television Program Berlin

Cinema, State of Affairs, Arts Calendar

Keep on Steppin"

Donald Griffith
,
8 Sep 2012, 21:28
 
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Donna-Lee Bolden-Kerr, Dayara Bernal Roque, Josanne Leonard, Sistren Theatre Collective Lana Finikin, Tina Spiro
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Dominica, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Diaspora, Jamaica, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Aruba, Montserrat, Bermuda, Cuba, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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