“Hotel Rwanda” Screening Benefits Sudanese Victims

ATHENS, Ga. — A capacity crowd of 500 packed the University of Georgia Tate Theater last week to watch a special 35mm pre-release screening of “Hotel Rwanda,” and support the Sudan programs of Amnesty International and the International Crisis Group. The event, co-sponsored by The George Foster Peabody Awards and R.E.M., raised more than $3,400. That amount has been matched by The Omidyar Network, making the amount raised, minus expenses, $6,639.68.“Hotel Rwanda” is a story of courage during the 1994 genocide in which nearly one million people were killed in that African nation. MGM/UA, who loaned the 35mm print for the screening, said the film will probably not be shown again in Athens, although it is nominated for three Golden Globe Awards.

Brian McQuinn, senior program associate in the Conflict Resolution Program at The Carter Center and a native Kenyan, introduced the film and spoke to the tragic genocide and difficulties that continue to plague Rwanda.

Dr. Nate Kohn, Peabody Awards associate director, first saw “Hotel Rwanda” last fall at the Toronto Film Festival, where it was Audience Award Winner, and he was eager to bring it to Athens audiences when the opportunity arose. “I was contacted by Cynthia Gentry on behalf of Amnesty International and ICG…fortunately the Tate Theater was available and the public support was beyond our expectations.”

The “Hotel Rwanda” genocide awareness benefit raised $1,008 through on-line ticket sales, and $2,321 from ticket sales and raffles, along with an additional $72 of direct donations to Amnesty International. The funds go towards relief activities in Darfur, Sudan.

The Peabody Awards, established in 1940, administered by UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and directed by Dr. Horace Newcomb, are the oldest honor in electronic media. For more information about the Peabody Awards visit the Peabody web site at www.peabody.uga.edu.