WINDOW HORSES, the film: GO SEE IT!

September 22, 2017 by admin

We are excited to tell you about a new film that is truly about the mixed-race and multiracial experience and has a powerhouse cast. WINDOW HORSES has a limited run in Los Angeles and you don’t want to miss this! Learn more about the film and be sure to GO SEE IT! We have to show our support for these projects so that the film industry knows that there is an audience hungry for these stories.

window horses

A half-Persian girl travels to Iran to attend a poetry festival, and discovers Persian art and history while building bridges between cultures and generations. Along her journey, she is forced to confront her past, including the truth about the Iranian father she thinks abandoned her.

Go see@windowhorses in LA! Limited run! #multiracial #mixedrace

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Experience the beauty of Persian poetry and history in the award-winning film WINDOW HORSES–starring Sandra Oh, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Navid Negahban, Omid Abtahi, Ellen Page, Nancy Kwan and Houshang Touzie–during its exclusive LA theatrical engagement at Laemmle Music Hall in Beverly Hills, only Friday, September 29 – Thursday, October 5. Bring your friends and family, including kids! Use promo code WHFRIENDS for tickets at https://www.laemmle.com/films/42838.

On-Line Book Club for Mixed Race & Multiracial Stories: Matt de la Pena’s Mexican Whiteboy

September 12, 2017 by admin

mixed remixed We’ve been having so much fun reading together since we launched our on-line book club last year. We’re continuing with our pick for October with Matt de la Pena’s Mexican Whiteboy.

Join us Sunday October 8 at 4pm PACIFIC on the phone (it’s a community call), listen live on your computer, or talk with us in the chat room to discuss this wonderful book. And remember to visit our Goodreads page and leave a comment as you’re reading and get to know each other in advance of our talk!

We’re reading @mattdelapena for our on-line book club discussion! Join us! #mixedrace #multiracial

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Our Literary and Workshop Director Jamie Moore and Festival Founder Heidi Durrow lead the discussion. If you can’t join us live, you can always download the podcast from itunes. You can also submit any questions or comments you have on our Goodreads book club page. What’s your favorite line from the book? What’s your favorite scene? We’ll read your comments on the air! We can’t wait to talk with you about another great book about the Mixed experience.

Book Synopsis

Danny’s tall and skinny. Even though he’s not built, his arms are long enough to give his pitch a power so fierce any college scout would sign him on the spot. A 95 mph fastball, but the boy’s not even on a team. Every time he gets up on the mound he loses it.

But at private school, they don’t expect much else from him. Danny’s brown. Half-Mexican brown. And growing up in San Diego that close to the border means everyone else knows exactly who he is before he even opens his mouth. Before they find out he can’t speak Spanish, and before they realize his mom has blonde hair and blue eyes, they’ve got him pegged.

Danny’s convinced it’s his whiteness that sent his father back to Mexico. And that’s why he’s spending the summer with his dad’s family. Only, to find himself, he might just have to face the demons he refuses to see right in front oh his face. And open up to a friendship he never saw coming.

Matt de la Peña is the New York Times bestselling, Newbery Medal winning author of six young adult novels (including Mexican WhiteBoy, The Living and The Hunted) and two picture books (A Nations Hope and Last Stop on Market Street). Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific, where he attended school on a full athletic scholarship for basketball. de la Peña currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with his family. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country.

FREE Family Fun at the Mixed Remixed Festival June 10, 2017!

May 29, 2017 by admin

We’re excited to provide several family activities at the Mixed Remixed Festival June 10, 2017. FREE! Registration is strongly encouraged. Join us for this amazing annual celebration of stories of mixed-race and multiracial families and people. We will have FACE PAINTERS, CRAFT ACTIVITIES, and STORYTELLING TIME FOR KIDS of all ages to enjoy. Oh, yeah, and yes, it’s all FREE!

STORYTIME 10:30am

STORYTIME MUSICAL with Miss Kyla 1:30pm

R E G I S T E R

Boooks and Cookies We are very lucky to have beloved Santa Monica bookstore, Books and Cookies at the Festival this year. Books and Cookies will present an interactive storytime at 10:30 and 1:30. You don’t want to miss this!

MIXED REMIXED FESTIVAL STORYTELLER’S PRIZE PRESENTATION HONORS MULTIPLE GOLDEN GLOBE AND EMMY-NOMINATED ACTOR AND PRODUCER DAVID OYELOWO

May 28, 2017 by admin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Heidi Durrow

Phone: 213-293-7077

Email: heidi@mixedremixed.org

Website: www.mixedremixed.org

MIXED REMIXED FESTIVAL

STORYTELLER’S PRIZE PRESENTATION HONORS

MULTIPLE GOLDEN GLOBE AND EMMY-NOMINATED ACTOR AND PRODUCER

DAVID OYELOWO

(Los Angeles, CA) The Mixed Remixed Festival will present the annual Storyteller’s Prize to multiple Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor and producer David Oyelowo on June 10, 2017 at 6:30pm at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles, 514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

The Festival—now in its 4^th year–celebrates stories of the Mixed racial and cultural experience and stories of multiracial Americans, the fastest growing demographic in America. This year the Festival also celebrates the 50^th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Loving v. Virginia decision, which allowed people of different races to marry nationwide. A free public event, the Festival—which is the largest nationwide gathering of mixed-race and multiracial families and people–brings together film and book lovers, innovative and emerging artists, and multiracial families and individuals for workshops, readings, and film screenings for a full day of programming and family activities.

“We are ecstatic to honor David Oyelowo,” says Festival Founder and Executive Director Heidi Durrow who calls herself an Afro-Viking because she is African-American and Danish. “We applaud the work Mr. Oyelowo has done as an artist-activist committed to social justice and for bringing heart to stories about racial and cultural connectedness in films such as A United Kingdom and Selma among others. His openness about talking about interracial families will help so many young people who are mixed and have struggled to find a place in the world, to find strength in their difference, and most importantly to connect their own struggles with the struggle for justice for all.”

The Storyteller’s Prizes are awarded each year to artists, scholars, and community leaders who have shown a dedication to celebrating and illuminating the Mixed experience. Past honorees include Emmy award-winning actors Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, TV and film star Taye Diggs, The Daily Show’s Al Madrigal, New York Times bestselling writer Jamie Ford and Cheerios.

The Festival is produced by New York Times best-selling author Heidi Durrow (The Girl Who Fell From the Sky, Algonquin Books) and a talented group of entertainment professionals.

The event is free and open to the public. This year’s honoree has confirmed his attendance for the prize presentation, which will be presented as part of the Festival’s dynamic live performance, featuring some of the best comedians and performers including Tehran, Sunda Croonquist, Joe Hernandez-Kolski, Joshua Silverstein and Kayla Briet. Registration is strongly encouraged. For more information and the complete festival schedule, visit www.mixedremixed.org.

Festival sponsors and funders include: 23andMe, Mixed Chicks, Buntoppers, Final Draft, My Heritage Book, Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, AMC Theatres, the Leo Buscaglia Foundation, and the Puffin West Foundation. This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of California Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The 2017 Storyteller’s Prize recipient:

David Oyelowo is a multiple Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor and producer who has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents.

Oyelowo can currently be seen in Amma Asante’s romantic drama, A United Kingdom, which he also produced. Based on a true story, the film follows Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana (Oyelowo) and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike) whom married in 1948 altered the course of African history in the face of fierce opposition from their families and the British and South African governments and a time when apartheid was being introduced. Upcoming, he will be seen in the third film in the Cloverfield series, produced by J.J. Abrams and released by Paramount Pictures on October 27th, 2017; as well as the lead in the as-yet untitled Nash Edgerton film, co-starring Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, Thandie Newton and Amanda Seyfried.

On stage, Oyelowo recently appeared in the New York Theatre Workshop Off-Broadway production of Othello. Directed by Sam Gold and starring opposite Daniel Craig as the title character, Oyelowo earned stellar reviews for his performance.

Oyelowo gained international acclaim in 2014 starring as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Ava DuVernay’s Selma. Additional film and television credits include: Mira Nair’s Queen of Katwe; Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar; J.C Chandor’s A Most Violent Year; Lee Daniels’ The Butler; Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln; Christopher McQuarrie’s Jack Reacher; George Lucas and Anthony Hemingway’s Red Tails; Tate Taylor’s The Help; Kevin MacDonald’s The Last King of Scotland; and HBO’s Nightingale.

Mixed Remixed Festival 2017 Presenter Highlight: Elizabeth Hudson, physician and mom

May 24, 2017 by admin

I had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth when she came to the Mixed Remixed Festival. I also knew her as a listener of the podcast, The Mixed Experience. She’s even been a guest host of the program a couple of times. Her warmth and wisdom is abundant. We are very glad to have her serve on a panel this year called On Bullying and the Race Talk: How to Support Your Mixed Kid. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

R E G I S T E R

What are you?

I’m a mixed-race physician mom with a love for travel, music and politics. My background is quite diverse with West Africa, British Isles, Eastern, Europe and even some Southern European and Scandinavian heritage mixed in for good measure.

What is your mixed experience?

I am a mixed-race woman married to a white man and am raising a multiracial son

What is the most important thing you want people to know about the mixed experience?

For me, it’s important for others to understand that the mixed experience is different for all. We are not a monolith, as mixed persons, but we all share the knowledge of being a part and separate at he same time. Having a place where we are understood, fundamentally, as we are at the Mixed Remixed Festival, is a wonderful respite.

Do you remember when you first started thinking about the mixed experience? Was it because of a certain moment or event?

When I was a kid, I remember being asked ‘what are you?’ This struck me such an odd question as I knew who I was: Elizabeth. As time went on, I realized that our society likes to be able to pigeonhole people into categories immediately, and when you are more than one thing, it creates a cognitive dissonance for those who encounter you. As there are now more mixed people, and these images have spread across the country and world,
the idea of being more than one ethnicity is not as hard for most to grasp. This doesn’t mean I am still not ( on a daily basis) misidentified, but it is real progress that I have seen in my 45 years on this planet.

What was your experience when you attended the Mixed Remixed Festival? Why did you want to come back?

I first visited this festival three years ago. When I entered the door, I was struck by a few things. First, I’ve never been around so many people who look like me! All the women, with curls just like mine: it was amazing. Second, I never felt like I had to explain who I was, or that I was going to be misidentified. Everyone was like me: it’s a mixed-race wonderland!

What are you looking forward to most at the Festival this year?

I am so happy to be a part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Lovin v. Virginia decision. I am also looking forward to seeing David Oyelowo as he receives the Storyteller’s Prize! His portrayal of MLK in Selma was spellbinding!

Mixed Remixed Festival Team 2017: Meet Casey Fearn, Intern

May 16, 2017 by admin

We started a limited internship project last year in order to involve younger people with the Mixed Remixed Festival. This year we’re lucky to have Casey Fearn as part of our team helping out with social media.

What are you?
Being the only black girl in my grade at school it has been difficult for me to come out of my shell and embrace who I am and what I am. After many years of trying to find my place at school, I realized that I don’t necessarily need a place but rather a platform to express what I am and what my experience has been. I am half black and half white, I am a writer, I am determined, and I am ready to share my story.

What is your mixed experience?

I have had a unique experience as a biracial girl for the past 3 years because I am the only black girl in my grade. Also, I have blonde hair and blue eyes so people often don’t take me seriously or believe me when I tell them that I am half black. It has been really difficult for me to share my story and be who I am at school because I feared that people wouldn’t take me seriously or that I wouldn’t be welcomed into the black or white communities. Hearing people say things like “oh but you’re not actually black, right?” as if being black is a bad thing or having to endure judgmental and confused stares whenever I go out with my dad, who is full black. Maybe people don’t have malicious intent when they act this way towards me and my family, but these words and actions have had a serious impact on me. Words do burn into my memory and have an emotional impact on me and confused stares make me want to shrink and hide. However, I have learned speak up and let people know when their actions are offensive. This has in return fueled my passion to speak out and let my voice be heard. I have a story and my experience has given me the passion to let my story be heard.

I am black AND white and that should never have to be a choice. #mixedrace #multiracial

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What is the most important thing you want people to know about the mixed experience?

The mixed experience isn’t a choice of two world’s or identities, although at times it can be quite the identify crisis. No mixed person should have to choose between being black or white, for example. I am black AND white and that should never have to be a choice.

Do you remember when you first started thinking about the mixed experience? Did it happen because of any particular moment or event?

I first started thinking about the mixed experience when I entered high school and felt isolated as one of the few black girls in my school. Sometimes I felt like I should ignore the fact that I am half black and reduce my self to only white to fit in. However, this was very miserable and hard for me to simply ignore who I am. The mixed experience has been a frequent conversation that I have had with both my mom and dad because I only have distant black relatives now and my close relatives are mostly white.
I started talking to my dad about my own desire to get more involved with the black community and how I could help future mixed or African American girls at school not feel like they have to change to fit into school. This conversation was one that I quickly became very passionate about. I started journaling about my experiences and talking to adults at my school about ways to get involved and share my story.

Why did you want to be a part of the Mixed Remixed Festival? How did you get involved?

When I first heard about Mixed Remixed Festival I knew it could really help me learn about the mixed experience. Immediately, I wanted to get involved and help because I had never heard of anything like it before. As someone who has struggled with my identity, I really appreciated that Mixed Remixed celebrates the mixed experience. I decided to reach out to Heidi to find a way for me to help. I talked to Heidi about my own experiences and desire to get involved and now I am an intern for Mixed Remixed.

What are you looking forward to most at the Festival this year?

I am really looking forward to hearing stories from people who I can identify with. This is a new experience for me and I have never been a part of anything like this before. This is such and exciting opportunity to spend time with people who have my shared experience. Mixed Remixed brings all of together to share our experience and learn from one another and that is really exciting. I look forward to being part of this wonderful event.

Join us June 10, 2017 at the Mixed Remixed Festival at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia. FREE!

R E G I S T E R

Mixed Remixed Festival 2017 Presenter Highlight: Dr. Greg Kimura

May 12, 2017 by admin

We are very pleased that Dr. Greg Kimura, who now serves as the Rector of an Episcopalian priest, will join us for an important roundtable conversation The Mixed-Race Conversation: Is it a Wrap? on June 10, 2017 at 3:00pm at the Mixed Remixed Festival. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

R E G I S T E R

What are you?
Hapa. Half Anglo, half Japanese

What is your mixed experience?

Biracial, raising two multiracial children

What is the most important thing you want people to know about the mixed experience?

The search for the meaning of mixed/hapa identity is the next frontier of identity politics.

Do you remember when you first started thinking about the mixed experience? Was it because of a certain moment or event? Please tell us about that.

I was five or six and called a racial epithet by a man of my grandparent’s age. This happened in a store in the Midwest.

“The search for the meaning of mixed/hapa identity is the next frontier of identity politics.”

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What was your experience when you attended the Mixed Remixed Festival before? Why did you want to come back?

I was the president/CEO of the Japanese American National Museum, which hosted and supported the Festival for several years.

What are you looking forward to most at the Festival this year?

Hearing the stories of others.

Mixed Remixed Festival 2017 Presenter Highlight: Filmmaker Carrie Hawks

May 11, 2017 by admin

“You don’t need to know a person’s whole background before you have a conversation.”

We are extremely pleased to be able to screen Carrie Hawk’s film black enuf at the Mixed Remixed Festival June 10, 2017 as part of the 1:00pm film screenings. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

R E G I S T E R

What are you?
I’m an artist who’s come from a long line of creative folks.

What is your mixed experience?

My family has Irish, African, and Native American roots. Often friends thought either me or my brothers were adopted because our complexions are different. My parents taught us to love and respect all different people. I’ve been in a few interracial relationships, including the one with myself. After learning about my genetic make-up, I’m appreciative of my own diversity.

What is the most important thing you want people to know about the mixed experience?

Learn about other cultures and treat people with respect. You don’t need to know their whole background before you have a conversation.

“I’ve been in a few interracial relationships, including the one with myself.” @maroonhorizon #mixedrace #multiracial

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Do you remember when you first started thinking about the mixed experience? Was it because of a certain moment or event? Please tell us about that.

I’ve always thought about it because people have asked me if I was mixed since I was a kid. Looking at my family history and our diversity, it’s always been on my mind. When my father said he identified as mixed-race, that sparked more investigation.

Is this your first time attending the Mixed Remixed Festival?

Yes

Why did you want to be a part of the Mixed Remixed Festival? What do you hope to gain?

I’m looking forward to being in a room full of people who get asked similar questions as me and from whom I can learn a lot.

What are you looking forward to most at the Festival this year?

The films and the stories.

Mixed Remixed Festival Team 2017: Meet Kyla Kupferstein-Torres

May 11, 2017 by admin

We are lucky to have Kyla Kupfurstein-Torres on the Mixed Remixed Festival Board and as one of our go-to on-site volunteers at the Festival. Learn more about Kyla and her mixed experience! And make sure you register for the 2017 Festival now! Spaces are limited in many sessions.

R E G I S T E R

What are you?
I’m a Jamaican Jew.

What is your mixed experience?

I’m biracial – a Black Jamaican mom and Ashkenazi Jewish dad.

What is the most important thing you want people to know about the mixed experience?

The mixed experience is an American experience – almost more central to our story as a nation than any other.

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Do you remember when you first started thinking about the mixed experience? Did it happen because of any particular moment or event?

I’ve always been thinking about the mixed experience. I lived in a deeply multiracial, immigrant family, in a diverse city, and attended a diverse elementary school. Gradations of difference have been central to my life experience.

Why did you want to be a part of the Mixed Remixed Festival? How did you get involved?

I got involved with the Mixed Remixed Festival through the founder, Heidi Durrow. Her passion and commitment to making the mixed experience visible is infectious!

What are you looking forward to most at the Festival this year?

I’m looking forward to hearing the voices of young people living the mixed experience. I’m the mother of a four year old who is even more mixed than I am, and I’m eager to hear how young people are redefining what it means to be mixed in the United States.

Are you coming to the largest nationwide gathering of mixed-race and multiracial families and people?

May 11, 2017 by admin

Registration is now open for the Mixed Remixed Festival 2017 and we want to make sure you don’t miss out. Here are some of the many folks who have already registered! It’s time for you to register too! Spaces are limited in many sessions! Did we mention it’s FREE!

It’s time to register for the largest nationwide gathering of #mixedrace #multiracial families and people! 6/10

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mixed race, multiracial, biracial

Join us June 10, 2017 at the Mixed Remixed Festival at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia. FREE!

“You don’t need to know a person’s whole background before you have a conversation.”

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