Films Across Borders: Stories of Water

Films Across Borders showcases critically acclaimed films, documentaries, shorts and virtual reality experiences from around the world. Co-presented by American University in partnership with embassy cultural organizations, arts institutions and environmental groups, the series focuses on a distinctive timely and compelling theme each year.

Now in its fifth year, the 2019 series -- Films Across Borders: Stories of Water -- brings together diverse cinematic stories about our relationship with water: how we are drawn to it, how we use it, how this precious resource shapes human society and our daily lives. Previous film series focused on ‘Stories of Women’ (2018) and ‘Stories of Migration’ (2017)

Come for the films and the enjoyment of engaging with filmmakers and topical speakers in lively post-screening discussions. Open to the public in venues around the city in October and November.

Film Series Trailer:

Opening Night Coverage:

AU Website

Telemundo News

2019 Schedule

Tues, Oct 1 | 6:30 pm: The River and the Wall (2019, USA); Opening Night film screening and concert with folk singers and social activists Peter and Bethany Yarrow; AU Doyle/Forman Theater; Free, reservations at theriverandthewallau.eventbrite.com
Sat, Oct. 5 | 11:00 am: Ponyo; AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; Purchase tickets at afi.com/silver
Sun, Oct. 6 | 11:00 am: Ponyo; AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; Purchase tickets at afi.com/silver
Sun, Oct. 6 | 2:00 pm: The Raft (2019, Sweden); Embassy of Sweden; Free, reservations at https://theraft.eventbrite.com
Wed, Oct 9 | 6:30 pm: Fitzcarraldo (1982, West Germany); Goethe Institut; Free, no reservations required
Thurs, Oct 10 | 7:00 pm: Styx (2018, Germany/Austria); Panel discussion follows film screening.; Embassy of Austria; Free, registration required.
Fri, Oct 11 | 6:30 pm: Survival Family (2017, Japan); Japan Information and Cultural Center; Free, reservations required.
Sat, Oct. 12 | 11:00 am: The Red Turtle; AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; Purchase tickets at afi.com/silver
Sun, Oct. 13 | 11:00 am: The Red Turtle; AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; Purchase tickets at afi.com/silver
Mon Oct 14 | 6:30 pm: Bagdad Cafe (Out of Rosenheim) (1987, West Germany); Goethe Institut; Free, no reservations required
Tues, Oct 15 | 6:00 pm: Even the Rain (2010, Spain); DC Laborfest at Takoma Busboys and Poets; Free, no reservations required
Tues Oct 15 | 7:30 pm: Into the Okavango; National Geographic; Tickets available https://www.nationalgeographic.org/events/
Thurs Oct 17 | 6:45 pm: Guadalquivir (2013, Spain); Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain; Free, registration required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guadalquivir-at-films-across-borders-stories-of-water-tickets-71381304403
Thurs, Oct 17 | 7:00 pm: Blue Heart (2018, USA); Anacostia Riverkeeper at Eaton Cinema; Free, registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/films-across-borders-screening-blue-heart-tickets-73153695673
Fri Oct 18 | 12 pm: Mediterranean Migration (2017-2019, series of International shorts); International Film Fest at GWU Institute of European, Russian & Eurasian Studies; Free tickets available at www.immigrationfilmfest.org
Sun, Oct. 20 | 1:00 pm: Woman in the Dunes (1964, USA); National Gallery of Art at the Freer Gallery of Art Auditorium
Sun, Oct 20 | 4:00 pm: Woman and the Glacier(2016, Netherlands); National Gallery of Art at the Freer Gallery of Art Auditorium; Free, no reservations required
Tues, Oct 22 | 6:00 pm: Even the Rain (2010, Spain); DC Laborfest at Shirlington Busboys and Poets; Free, no reservations required
Tues, Oct 22 | 6:30 pm: The Ghost Fleet(2019, USA); AU Doyle/Forman Theater; Free, Reception and reservation info: theghostfleetau.eventbrite.com
Wed, Oct. 23 | 6:30 pm: Tesoros (2017, Mexico); Mexican Cultural Institute at NYU-DC
Fri, Oct. 25 | 9:45 pm: Mindgame (2004, Japan); AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; Tickets available at afi.com/silver
Sunday, Oct 27 | 4:00 pm: Walking on Water (2018, USA, Bulgaria); National Gallery of Art West Building Lecture Hall; Free, no reservations required
Fri, Nov 2 | 9:45 pm: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015, USA); AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; Tickets available at afi.com/silver
Tues, Nov 5 | 6:30 pm: High Tide in Dorchester (2018, USA); AU Doyle/Forman Theater; Free, Reception and reservation info: hightideindorchesterau.eventbrite.com
Tues, Nov 5 | 7:00 pm: Oceans, the Mystery of the Missing Plastic (2016, France); Cultural Services of the French Embassy; Free – Online registration required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oceans-the-mystery-of-the-missing-plastic-tickets-75298137757?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Tues, Nov 19 | 6:00 pm: Water Rising (2015, Ireland); DC Laborfest at Takoma Busboys and Poets; Free, no reservations required
Tues, Nov 19 | 7:30 pm: Shark VR Event; National Geographic; Tickets available: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/events/
Wed, Nov 20 | 6:30 pm: Draw Me A River; Embassy of Switzerland at Eaton Cinema; Free, reservations required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/films-across-borders-draw-me-a-river-tickets-77297696491
Wed, Nov. 20 | 6:30 pm: An Evening of Three Mexican Documentary Shorts (2016-2019, Mexico); Mexican Cultural Institute at NYU-DC
Thurs, Nov 21 | 6:30 pm & 8:00 pm: Filmmaker Spotlight: Films by Taylor Graham: (2018, USA); DC Environmental Filmmaking Festival at Eaton DC; Free, reservations required
Tues, Nov 26 | 6:00 pm: Water Rising (2015, Ireland); DC Laborfest at Shirlington Busboys and Poets; Free, no reservations required

2018 Films Across Borders: Stories of Women website

2017 Films Across Borders: Stories of Migration website