MISSION
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Festival of the Worlds provides a forum for global expression through filmmaking. It is a platform for a spectrum of political, cultural and philosophical ideologies presented in an environment designed to foster creative and intellectual expansion. Our goal is to explore both the differences and the similarities of the international community in order to become a more educated population, one that is more capable of avoiding negative historical cycles and more willing to push us into a sustainable future.
We expect this year’s festival to reach an audience of over 1000 people in venues that embrace today’s global nature, including museums and international theaters (which we are currently seeking). The festival is designed to cultivate a community of filmmakers who can share, network, and help to build each other’s vision. chashama Film Festival is dedicated to the art of film and the existence of uncensored outlets.
ABOUT CHASHAMA
chashama burst on to the art scene over a decade ago with provocative window performances, dazzling pedestrians amid the skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan. Founded by Anita Durst in 1995, chashama is an organization dedicated to serving artists in New York City. Durst realized that lack of affordable space was the greatest threat to a diverse, dynamic, and provocative cultural environment in NYC. Her vision was to connect artists with untapped reserves of vacant real estate such as empty storefronts and offices languishing between tenants while invigorating surrounding communities with creative activity.
Since its inception, chashama has provided opportunities for performing and visual artists by awarding grants, producing shows and providing subsidized studio, rehearsal, and performance space. chashama has transformed more than 40 locations, giving 7,500 artists access to space well below market rate, which supported approximately 10,000 public presentations for over 500,000 viewers since its inception.
WHO WE ARE
Rick Kariolic- Director
rick@chafilmfest.com
Currently directing and producing a documentary on the history of 42nd Street, the multi-disciplined Kariolic has directed and produced many films, ranging from experimental to a feature-length documentary. His imagery focuses on life situations, including the birth of a child or the rescue of a friend, never turning off his humanity or the camera to share in “real time” moments and events through film and photography.
In 2006, Kariolic received a space grant from chashama for his exhibition of “paint and shoot” and his photography exhibition “Europe” was shown at the chashama Black Box. Internationally, his works were featured at the BE HERE Festival in the former Yugoslavia at performance venues in Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia in 2004.
Born in Chicago’s South Side, Rick Kariolic spent most his time watching movies and dreaming of making his own. Growing up, he often broke his father’s camera trying to get the impossible shot. Despite a humble background and lack of formal artistic education, his deep passion led him to pursue a career in the creative and performing arts.
Leslie Robbins- Assistant Director
lrobbs228@gmail.com
Attended school at the University of Michigan where she attained a Bachelor's of Arts in Film Studies. Was a production assistant at Sharp Entertainment for 2 years.
Drew Kariolic- Webmaster
Currently pursuing a career in 3D graphics with a special interest in Game Design, Drew produces websites under the name of Apostrophe D Media and is currently working on the graphics for an independant movie.