“Gary Tyler, My Neighbor” wins grand prize

Budding Filmmakers at The International School of Los Angeles Win Grand Prize in Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Video Contest

From more than 800 submissions, an entry from Ming-Wei Fasquelle ‘20 and Mwi Epalle ’20 at the International School of Los Angeles has won grand prize in the annual Speak Truth to Power Video Contest.

Los Angeles, CA, April 24, 2018 –(PR.com)– Organized by Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers and the Tribeca Film Institute, the national video contest has seen over 60,000 students engage with the platform since its inception. Using their entries as a tool to discuss human rights issues, students are challenged to become champions of change and justice.

In their winning film, Gary Tyler, My Neighbor, Fasquelle and Epalle tell the story of Gary Tyler, a man who was wrongly convicted of murder and served over 40 years in prison. When asked about this accomplishment, Head of School Michael Maniska says, “We are so proud of Ming-Wei and Mwi for tackling such an intense topic in such a sophisticated manner.”

Thanks to their elegant storytelling, the duo garnered high praise from the panel of critics comprising film industry experts, actors, and educators. In her judging notes, multi-award-winning actor and respected activist Alfre Woodard shared these compliments about the film, “Simplicity. Direct storytelling – simply truthful. Powerfully rendered.”

Next stop: the students have been invited to watch as Gary Tyler, My Neighbor is screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on April 24th.

About the International School of Los Angeles:
The International School of Los Angeles is an international preschool through 12th grade bilingual school which offers an English and French curriculum. All students study a common bilingual program from preschool through 9th grade after which they have a choice between the rigorous and well-balanced French baccalauréat and International Baccalaureate Diploma programs. The Washington Post consistently lists the International School of Los Angeles as one of the nation’s most challenging private high schools. With five Los Angeles-area campuses (Burbank, Los Feliz, Orange County, Pasadena, and West Valley), and over one thousand students, the School holds triple accreditation from the French Ministry of Education, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the International Baccalaureate (IB). The International School of Los Angeles is committed to academic excellence in a nurturing and intimate environment that encourages personal initiative, creativity and curiosity, and to preparing students of all backgrounds to excel and contribute to a global world. Since 1978, the School has been instilling the love of learning in all its students through small classes and low student-to-teacher ratios. With over 60 nationalities and 39 spoken languages represented on the campuses, students study and live in a diverse global community every day.

Media Contact:
Emmy Ansinelli – Marketing & Communications Director
International School of Los Angeles
818-994-2961 | emmy.ansinelli@lilaschool.com | www.internationalschool.la

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