PBS Online Film Festival Kicks Off March 4 WCVE PBS one of 6 stations selected

RICHMOND, VA; MARCH 1, 2013 – The PBS Online Film Festival will return for a second year, beginning March 4, 2013, and WCVE PBS is one of six PBS members stations selected nationwide! The festival will showcase 25 short films from PBS member stations and media partners, that feature a diversity of subjects, voices and viewpoints. The films will be accessible via all PBS digital platforms, YouTube and PBS social media channels.

WCVE’s inclusion is “LIVE ART”, a six-minute film about a groundbreaking educational program and concert event for children with and without developmental disabilities and hearing impairment, created and led by the School of the Performing Arts (SPARC) in Richmond, Virginia. In January 2012, documentary film makers Martin Montgomery (Martin Montgomery Films) and Bill Gaff (Humanstory Films) began recording footage of what was to become one of the most profound examples of performing arts education anyone has ever witnessed… LIVE ART.

Viewers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite short film from March 4 through March 22. The film with the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award. Show your RVA pride by voting for LIVE ART! More information and a preview video for the PBS Online Film Festival can be found at pbs.org/filmfestival. For updates on the festival, follow #PBSolff on Twitter.

About WCVE

WCVE PBS is a part of the Community Idea Stations, which provides public TV and public radio for central Virginia. Every week, the Community Idea Stations reaches more than 300,000 people in Central Virginia of every age, demographic and economic circumstance. By providing the best of PBS and NPR programming and coupling that with a strong set of local, community- based programs and services, the Community Idea Stations makes an important impact in the areas of arts, news, history, science and education.

About SPARC

SPARC inspires young people, ages 3-18, to reach their full potential through quality training in the performing arts. SPARC develops life skills among young performers, preparing them for productive lives and leadership.

Contact:

Lanny Fields, lfields@ideastations.org, 804-560-8226