In 1999, Kopkind launched its 1st summer retreat, bringing younger political journalists and activists together with veterans in the field for a week-plus of political and cultural exploration, intellectual stimulation and rest, an experience of provocative ideas, delicious food, great company amid the pastoral beauty of Tree Frog Farm in Southern Vermont. Ten years later, we’re still at it: in the spirit of the great journalist Andrew Kopkind, thinking deeply, living expressively and extending the field for freedom, pleasure and imagination.
There are two sessions, one a political seminar/retreat and the other a documentary filmmakers’ workshop/retreat.
First session:
Mentors:
Robin Blackburn was a founder of New Left Review in London in the 1960s, later served as its editor, and is now a member of the editorial committee. For the past several years he has been writing widely on the roots of the financial crisis, the rot at the core of corporate capitalism, and the relationship between life, death and banking as reflected in pensions and Social Security. He is especially interested in prospects for radical reform and transitional economic policy alternatives to the current stew of bailout schemes. Robin is a visiting professor of historical studies at The New School in New York and a professor of sociology at the University of Essex, UK. He has a long history with international political currents and movements, including Cuba in the early ‘60s, Paris and Prague ’68, and Venezuela and Bolivia most recently. Beyond the financialization of everyday life, he has written numerous articles and books on the history of revolution, colonialism and empire. His masterful works, The Overthrow of Colonial Slavery and The Making of New World Slavery, are major contributions not only to the history of slavery in the Americas, Atlantic trade and the rise of the West but also of the connection between slave revolts, abolition and political and class struggles in the Age of Revolution. His latest book, forthcoming, is The American Crucible: Slavery, Emancipation and Human Rights.
Program and Application:
For this session, we encourage younger people who have been at work for a few years as media makers or organizers (or hybrids) to apply. (For legal/insurance reasons we cannot invite people under 21.) The program is entirely free, including transportation. (The 18th and 26th are travel days.) There are seminars every morning for three hours, free afternoons, and evening discussions sometimes with special guests, two of which are free public events. People must be able to commit to the full program.
Second session:
Theme: Brainstorming to a New Future
(for full details, see CID’s site, www.documentaries.org)
Program and Application:
This session is open to all ages over 21 but limited to independent documentary filmmakers. More of a focussed workshop, in this session participants show and collegially critique one another’s work, get feedback on works in progress, discuss issues particular to filmmaking, especially the question of how to survive and thrive as independent filmmakers in the current climate. Screenings are done each evening, with discussions at morning seminars. (The 2nd and 9th are travel days.) The week closes with Kopkind’s 4th Annual Grassroots Film Festival, August 6-8, which is free and open to the public.
The cost to filmmakers for participating in this week is $295 per person. Registration and non-refundable deposit ($50) will be due by June 10, with full payment due by July 11.
Thank you, friends, for years of support and participation. And please urge people who you think would be interested and interesting to apply. We expect another great year!
JoAnn Wypijewski, president, Kopkind
212.533.8366/ 646.498.5810
The New Liberator