Latest news with #SusanJohnston
Associated Press
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
New Media Film Festival Announces Writers Block – A Unique Platform Celebrating EMMY, TELLY & Novice Writers
Storytelling drives media and entertainment, while technology enables sharing globally. Writers Block celebrates writers' voices during 16th New Media Film Festival Storytelling is the backbone of media and entertainment, and the technology creators use to create it allows us to share those stories with the world. The innovative New Media Film Festival®, known for championing groundbreaking ideas created Writers Block — a unique and engaging platform for celebrating the voices of writers. Live online during 16th New Media Film Festival® June 4-5 2026. The innovative New Media Film Festival®, a trailblazer in championing groundbreaking ideas, is proud to unveil its latest creative endeavor: Writers Block. This exciting online platform celebrates the voices of writers, bridging innovation and storytelling. Writers Block will go live during the 16th New Media Film Festival®, held on June 4–5, 2026. Reimagining the traditional concept of 'writer's block,' this dynamic, live online session uplifts scriptwriters worldwide by creating a space for interaction, recognition, and celebration. Helming this initiative is Susan Johnston, a visionary media futurist and the founder of the New Media Film Festival®. Johnston, an award-winning producer and advocate for storytelling and technology in entertainment, is joined by industry legend Chuck Haifley, an accomplished producer and director with over four decades of experience, as the session's moderator. Script nominees for the 16th New Media Film Festival® will automatically participate in the Writers Block. This engaging online Q&A session spotlights storytellers, encompassing all formats within the script category. Nominees in all 28 categories compete for one-of-a-kind awards, including exclusive meetings with Marvel and HBO, studio packages from Filmustage, and offerings from Script Reader Pro, Scriptwriters Network, and more. Nominees include: World Premieres In the Drive by 4 X Emmy Winner & Telly winner Adam Henry Garcia This Was My Abuela's House by Bea Mienik Bermuda by Michael-Claude Winfield The Scorpion Dance by Jon Haller Feature Scripts Ace's Wilde III by Jonathan Cane A Good Day Will Come by Amir Zargara The Red Zone by Terry Podnar TV - Pitch Deck - Play Last Stand at Butte City by Multiple Telly Winner by Natalie Schwan Campaign by Leon Thomas Braun Precursor by Steve Brown This God Damn House by Matthew McLachlan About the Moderator, Chuck Haifley Chuck Haifley brings unparalleled expertise as a producer, director, and technical visionary in live and broadcast entertainment. From legendary boxing events like Tyson vs. Holyfield to iconic music productions for Michael Jackson and Bon Jovi, Haifley's influence spans sports, music, and cutting-edge technology. About the Host, Susan Johnston Susan Johnston, the dynamic Founder and Director of the New Media Film Festival®, has a distinguished career in bridging technology and storytelling. Recognized for her contributions to the arts and humanities, Johnston continues to empower creators worldwide. The New Media Film Festival® transformative event is on June 4–5, 2025. Final submissions close at midnight, April 6th, 2025. 2355 Westwood Blvd. #381, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA Media Contact Company Name: New Media Film Festival Contact Person: Crystal Email: Send Email Phone: 13102881100 City: Los Angeles State: CA Country: United States
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Letters: Department of Education's unique functions; Fenchak should still be a choice for trustee
With the proposal to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, (DoED) we should review the importance of the agency. It has unique functions that would be difficult for individual states to replicate. The DoED does not have power over school curriculum, staffing or academic standards. These are decided by the individual states. There are three main functions of the DoED: research, civil rights and funding for specific individuals. Examples are: Research — oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the nation's report card mandated by congress in 1969. Collects and tracks data on college admissions, graduation rates and need-based aid among other functions. Funding — Provides funding for public schools via: Title 1 for districts that serve lower income areas and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for districts that serve students with disabilities. DoED is the only agency directly responsible for ensuring local compliance with the IDEA. Manages college financial aid and federal student loans via FAFSA and FSA that includes grants (Pell Grants), loans and work study funds for undergraduate students. Civil rights — Investigated complaints nationwide regarding discrimination in schools (more than 22,000 last year). These include Title IX that prohibits sex discrimination in education including men, women, girls, boys and staff in educational programs that receives federal funds. Pennsylvania receives $2.8 billion in grants from the DoED including $736 billion for Title 1 and $554 million for IDEA. Loss of some or all of this money would mean increased property taxes. Susan Johnston, State College. The author is the chair of the AAUW State College Education Committee. Penn State alumni including myself signed a petition to nominate Barry J. Fenchak '84 for another term as alumni trustee. The board's nominating committee, with the exception of Jay Paterno, voted however to exclude Fenchak from the ballot. In doing so, the committee may have exceeded the scope of its authority by considering a controversy that was already covered in an injunction issued against the board, as opposed to Mr. Fenchak's qualifications. Judge Brian Marshall wrote in part, 'Denying the injunction and allowing Plaintiff's removal would re-cast a shadow over the financial operations of Defendants, to the detriment of every Penn State stakeholder except those at the very top of the Penn State hierarchy.' (In 2014, State Senator John Yudichak opined that personal agendas rather than a Penn State agenda were driving board decisions.) Marshall's ruling also cited alleged retaliation against Fenchak. I can understand why the board's leaders want Fenchak out. If I was the subject of multiple adverse rulings from a court of law because of my behavior toward this individual, I would certainly want him gone as well. In any event, the alumni who nominated Fenchak did not ask the nominating committee for its opinion so I recommend accordingly that alumni write in Barry J. Fenchak '84 (the full name and year of graduation are important) in the upcoming election for alumni trustee. Bill Levinson, Wilkes Barre The current federal administration is neo-fascist — as the Nazis demonized the Jews and homosexuals, so Donald Trump demonizes migrants and transgender people. These are not normal times politically. In just a few months the president has been cruel and hateful to them, to the federal workforce and to all the poor abroad who have lost our foreign aid. In State College, we must all stand up in moral witness. We must find ways to nonviolently fight back. John Harris, State College Mr. Trump has succeed where generations of dictators failed. He shut down the Voice of America. Hitler tried. So did Tojo. And Stalin, Castro, Mao, Putin, Xi, Kim Jong-Il, and a few others in history's rogues' gallery. But only Trump succeeded in silencing the VOA which, for more than 80 years, delivered accurate news to people who weren't going to hear it from their own governments. It was a powerful tool for democracy. But democracy is so 20th century. At least the Trumpsters think so. How many know that former Penn State University President Milton S. Eisenhower was closely involved with the early days of the Voice of America when he was associate director of War Information in World War II? He is buried in Centre County Memorial Park and I'll bet he is turning in his grave. Richard W. Jones, State College We speak only from our own experience, but we have enjoyed some delightful times and delicious food; we have met some warm, cordial and helpful people; and we have caught some magnificent northern pike in Canada, which has shared with all of us down here some greatly talented actors, writers, singers, and athletes, along with its maple syrup and Labatt's beer. When obdurate Americans gather to disparage, insult, embarrass, threaten, or harm Canadians, however we can, we plan to resist. Cordy and John Swinton, State College
