8th DTLA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES

INCOME INEQUALITY DAY

SATURDAY, SEPT. 24^TH, NOON TO 9 PM

REGAL L.A. LIVE

PRESENTED BY SEIU Local 721

THE MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC ISSUE OF THE YEAR IS ADDRESSED

IN A FREE-TO-THE-PUBLIC FILM & PANEL PROGRAM, SAT. SEPT 24TH

LOS ANGELES – Sept. 23, 2016 – “‘It’s Everybody’s Problem’: Income Inequality in Contemporary America,” an all day, free-to-public film and panel discussion program, will be held on Sept. 24th, 12 at Regal L.A. LIVE.

The program is presented by Services Employees International Union Local 721.

The series will include programs consisting of award-winning feature-length and short documentary films, many with Los Angeles premieres. These films focus on contemporary issues of labor, gentrification and poverty. There will be a panel discussion about contemporary issues of income inequality, including labor union SEIU Local 721’s initiatives “Fight For $15” and efforts to raise wages in Los Angeles, surrounding cities and California.

“These films depict the various effects of economic injustice through low-wages, gentrification and poverty. Issues of systemic inequality do not occur in a vacuum and can domino into many facets of our lives,” said program curator Lindsey Van Winkle. “It provides a unique forum for continuing a much-needed conversation on economic empowerment and gives audiences an opportunity to envision a more inclusive society.”

Making its Los Angeles public premiere, the HBO-produced film Class Divide contrasts the experiences of the intersection of the rich and poor where an affluent private school is located across the street from public housing projects in New York City’s West Chelsea neighborhood. The film is directed by award-winning independent film producer Marc Levin.

When a “green” stimulus-funded nonprofit hires 150 unemployed workers at the height of the recession, systemic and social obstacles hinder opportunity in Washington D.C., in City of Trees, Making its Los Angeles premiere, the award-winning film is directed by Brandon Kramer.

Exploring the lives of young African Americans in the rural South, Raising Bertie depicts the connections between generational poverty, educational inequity and race. This intimate and emotional film is directed and produced by Margaret Byrne.

Both making their Los Angeles premiere, the documentary shorts Groundwork and Good White People explore the devastating effects of inequality. Directed by Milena Velis, Groundwork is the story of five different life experiences and the fight against injustice in Philadelphia. In Good White People, co-directors Erick Stoll and Jarrod Welling-Cann artfully expose the impact of gentrification in a Cincinnati neighborhood.

There will be a panel discussion titled, The Fight to End Income Inequality In Los Angeles focusing on the “Fight for $15” campaign with moderator Vincent Harris, Retired Chief Deputy and Senior Policy Advisor to Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. The panelists include: Gilda Valdez, Chief of Staff of SEIU Local 721; Samuel Homer-Williams of the Fight for $15 campaign; Alberto Retana, President and CEO of Community Coalition; Reverend Stephen “Cue” Jn’Marie, Director of Creating Justice LA; and Dr. Vanessa Tyson, Assistant Professor of Politics at Scripps College.

“Income Inequality Day” will be held from 12 noon to 9 pm at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE

The 2016 Income Inequality Series is sponsored by SEIU Local 721.
Tickets must be reserved at: https://www.dtlaff.chillhound.pro/

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Press Contact:
Alisse Kingsley
for DTLA Film Festival
alissethemuse@aol.com

Press Credentials:
To apply for press credentials for the 2016 DTLA Film Fest, contact info@dffla.com.

About DTLA Film Fest
The only major film festival in the Capital of Cool – downtown Los Angeles – DTLA Film Festival was established in 2008 as a showcase for independent cinema in the historic core of the Film Capital of the World.  The festival embraces in its programming and mission the unique cultural, ethnic and gender diversity of downtown Los Angeles and its neighboring communities. DTLA Film Fest is produced annually by a nonprofit arts organization that is led by a volunteer group of filmmakers and community activists.

About SEIU Local 721
SEIU Local 721 represents over 90,000 public employees in the Counties of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Riverside, and San Bernardino. SEIU Local 721 houses the Fight for $15 on the west coast and has been key leader in raising the minimum wage in Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, Long Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica and California.  In North America, SEIU International represents 1.5 million public service workers, nurses, hospital staff, nursing home care providers, building services and security guards.