The Common Ground Film Series

The power of the media – and of film – can be used to develop greater understanding and tolerance, and can contribute to defusing conflict rather than inflaming it. Films can demonstrate, in informative and entertaining ways, that workable solutions can be found to contentious problems.

Productions in this genre take a balanced approach and emphasize the common humanity shared by people in conflict. They reveal why adversaries think, feel, and act as they do - stressing the commonalities among peoples, while not ignoring the differences that divide them.

Our goals in sponsoring the Series are to:

• Showcase films that contribute to preventing and reducing conflict
• Honor filmmakers who work within this framework
• Encourage future productions that promote understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence
• Popularize this kind of filmmaking
• Move audiences from viewing to dialogue to action

Films selected for the CG Series meet the following criteria:

• They are balanced in their portrayal of issues
• They are timely and relevant to the important issues that people, communities, and countries face today
• They are entertaining and informative
• They have high production standards and values

Ongoing Film Series

• Common Ground Film Series at the United Nations
• Ana Tzarev Gallery Common Ground Film Series
• US Department of State — Africa Bureau Film Series
• Film Festivals and Series at Universities in the U.S. and Abroad
• The Common Ground Film Festivals in Washington, DC

• 2006
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001