Short Documentary “ANEW, doing what’s right with what’s left®” Accepted to 2012 Awareness & Catalina Film Festivals
Announcement comes within weeks of film’s debut at Events in Los Angeles & Orange County
Pasadena, CA – April 9, 2012: ANEW, a national 501 (c) (3) non-profit based in Pasadena, CA., held two “Aligning Social Sustainability®” events in March to celebrate a wave connecting the elements of wellness, community, industry and environment at the workplace.
The festivities included the premier of the short documentary “ANEW, doing what’s right with what’s left,” which was recently accepted into the 2012 Awareness & Catalina Film Festivals. Bentley Prince Street, California’s largest commercial carpet manufacturer and longtime sustaining sponsor of ANEW, served as one of the documentary’s executive producers and also sponsored the events, held at the Smog Shoppe in Los Angeles and at the Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach. Over 200 leaders in real estate, architecture and design, finance, technology, healthcare and manufacturing were in attendance.
ANEW Executive Director Lila Tsuda Grant and Founder Rose Tourje led a presentation featuring testimonials on the benefits of working with ANEW from distinguished speakers Daniel P. Garcia, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer, Kaiser Permanente; Sarah Devine, Principal, Rapt Studio; and Lisa Spruill, VP, Regional RE Manager, BNY Mellon. Guests were also treated to seeing benefactor and recipient organizations meet for the first time, which brought the social and environmental benefits of furniture repurposing to life. Following the presentation, guests enjoyed an exclusive screening of the documentary “ANEW, doing what’s right with what’s left.”
The organization has learned that two Los Angeles film festivals, the 2012 Awareness Festival and the Catalina Film Festival, both happening in May, have accepted the documentary. “I am thrilled that the film festivals debuting the impact of ANEW on human lives and on the environment attracts such a socially and economically aware and conscious audience who enjoys hearing and telling their stories through education, art and entertainment,” says Executive Director Grant.
ANEW was founded by Rose Tourje, a veteran commercial interior designer who shifted her career focus to “doing what’s right with what’s left” after realizing that great improvements were needed in the field of surplus liquidation. ANEW builds public awareness across the nation and provides education through action to divert office furniture, architectural materials and building assets from landfill; redirecting it to strengthen communities. ANEW matches surplus to those dedicated to public service representing charitable organizations, fire, police, veterans, schools, health providers, senior care centers, shelters and others.
“We transform surplus into service,” says Founder Tourje. “And we’re humbled each day to do our part for the greater good.”
The Awareness Festival was formed by Heal One World, a non-profit charity, with a mission to bring awareness and to open eyes to some of our world’s pressing issues; Ecological, Political, Scientific Progress, Health/Well-Being, & Spirit, Heart & Soul. The event showcases Documentary and Narrative Features, as well as Short Films.
The Catalina Film Festival features more than 75 films, nightly events and entertainment. It is a competitive festival with awards in up to 10 categories, including the prestigious Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation “Great Communicator” Award and the ISLA Earth Award; an honor presented by the Festival’s beneficiary, the Catalina Island Conservancy.
To join the Social Sustainability wave, please take a moment to watch and share the trailer of “ANEW, doing what’s right with what’s left.”