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WHEREAS, Film Pittsburgh, a non-profit organization which brings independent films from around the world to our community, is turning 25 this year; and,
WHEREAS, their mission is to bring stories from around the world to us to deepen our understanding of culture, further our tolerance and highlight our common humanity; and,
WHEREAS, from small beginnings in 1994 showing several films at the Beehive in Oakland, Film Pittsburgh has grown exponentially - now showing films at numerous venues throughout the region and currently serving over 14,000 participants per year; and,
WHEREAS, Film Pittsburgh, formerly known as JFilm, was created by a volunteer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh to showcase the best of international Jewish and Israeli-themed films, but has over the years grown to encompass a variety of programing, including an educational program and three festivals which feature a wide array of genres, visiting filmmakers, and opportunities for audiences to talk about important topics; and,
WHEREAS, today Film Pittsburgh serves our community with their ‘Teen Screen’ program which offers free film screenings to middle and high school students, ReelAbilities Pittsburgh, which showcases films about the lives, stories, and artistic expression of people with disabilities, and Pittsburgh Shorts, which showcases short films that promote the intersection of art, technology, cultural tolerance and diversity, in addition to the original Jewish-Israeli Film Festival now called the JFilm Festival; and,
WHEREAS, the Board and Staff of Film Pittsburgh strongly believe that the arts are an essential component to a thriving city and that arts programming should be accessible to all regardless of race, age, religion or abilities; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh congratulates Film Pittsburgh on reaching this monumental milestone and does hereby declare Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 to be “Film Pittsburgh Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.