TAKE ACTION: SAVE THE INTERNET

A new bill has been introduced in U.S. House that would stop Comcast, Verizon and AT&T from controlling what you do, and where you go online.

In 2006, 1.6 million people stopped mighty phone and cable companies from gutting Net Neutrality. In 2007, more than a quarter-million people sent comments to the FCC and opened up cell-phone networks to user choice and innovation.



This year, we're going to stop Internet blocking and censorship once and for all. Learn more about the Internet Freedom Preservation Act

COMCAST PAID PEOPLE TO KEEP PUBLIC OUT OF INTERNET DEBATE

SavetheInternet.com just caught Comcast Corp. stacking an FCC hearing with paid (and apparently sleepy) seat-fillers.

The hearing was set up to investigate Comcast's recent blocking of the Internet. But Comcast packed the room so that the public couldn't get in to voice their support for Net Neutrality.

They took pictures and recorded an interview that proves Comcast was taking seats from concerned citizens. Now, they need you to make sure that the company doesn't get away with this ever again. Here's what you can do:

1. Tell your friends to take action at SavetheInternet.com.
2. Support SavetheInternet.com's campaign to protect free choice on the Internet.

Comcast is blocking the public debate just like it is blocking the Internet: it wields its substantial political and financial power to shut out debate and shut up people.

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WHY THE INTERNET IS GREAT

Here's the proof. What a great medium for the people--for the public. Derrick a young guy, an immigrant tells us why he's behind Barack Obama. An interviewer comes up to him at an Obama rally and starts firing off questions. Derrick is an eloquent and impressive young guy. He's taken the time to understand why he likes a candidate and is supporting him. He also explains why he thinks it's imperative to be politically engaged in the US. His second video is quite impassioned and offers it's own hope. This is why the Internet is so much better than broadcast television. Here we can analyze a swath of opinions and finally make a truly informed decision instead of just sitting on the sidelines and listening to pundits and journalists.

Derrick's 2nd video (tan background) is a must watch and is in response to the initial interview video.

FutureWave -International Youth Films

FutureWave is a feature-length program of shorts by students 18 and under that showcases the best in international student films. Submissions close on March 1, 2008. Submit student films completed in the past year.

Superfly is a 3-Day Youth Filmmaking Intensive during the Seattle International Film Festival. 50 youth from across the country come together to create a short film in just three days with a high profile public screening at the festival. Students will collaborate with other youth and master teachers, while exploring Pacific Northwest Native American Culture. Application deadline is April 1, 2008.

More information is available online or contact dustin.kaspar@seattlefilm.org if you have any questions or need any more information about these important programs.

POINTS OF LIGHT VOLUNTEER AWARDS

If your company has an employee volunteer program, you probably have some great stories to share about the impact your volunteers have had in communities across the country. Maybe it’s through large scale annual events, or with smaller groups of volunteers in remote locations who have significantly impacted their community – the Points of Light & Hands On Network wants to hear your stories. The awards are given out annually by the Points of Light & Hands On Network, demonstrating the values of corporate social responsibility through their employee volunteers. Visit the website.

PANGEA DAY

If the whole world was watching what story would you tell? Pangea Day taps the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to build a better future.

On May 10, 2008 -- Pangea Day -- sites in Cairo, Dharamsala, Kigali, London, New York City, Ramallah, Rio de Janeiro and Tel Aviv will be linked to produce a 4-hour program of powerful films, visionary speakers, and uplifting music. The program will be broadcast live to the world through the Internet, television, digital cinemas, and mobile phones.

Your film could be part of it. Pangea Day is looking for films approximately 5-minutes in length that will make people laugh, pause and think. They can be fiction, non-fiction, real-life, animation or a mixture. Above all, they should tell a story that someone else on the other side of the world will be able to relate to.

Of course, movies alone can’t change the world. But the people who watch them can. So following May 10, 2008, Pangea Day organizers will facilitate community-building activities around the world by connecting inspired viewers with numerous organizations which are already doing groundbreaking work.

Pangea is the name of the original super-continent which contained all the world's land mass before the continents started splitting apart 250 million years ago. Pangea Day is being launched with the vision that the people of the world can begin to overcome their divisions, and that the power of film can help make it possible.

Find out how Pangea Day got its start with Jehane Noujaim's wish.

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