As part of the Tryon International Film Festival (TRIFF 2016), immediately following this Sunday’s screening of Cecilia Peck’s “Brave Miss World,” Lanier Library will host a wine and cheese talk-back session. Workshop #7 will begin at 4 p.m. (45 minutes) and will be moderated by Lee Lindsay of Steps to Hope.

“It will be a time to relax and unwind after two days of powerful films which cover the gambit of the dark side of human interaction. We want to provide a comfortable setting for people to relax, ask questions, and say what’s on their mind just prior to the awards ceremony at the Tryon Fine Arts Center,” said Kirk Gollwitzer, director of media relations.

Innocence in Danger, Steps to Hope and the Polk County Department of Social Services have each marched forward in active support of this year’s inclusion of the Human Right & Dignity performance category.

It will also be a time for the many filmmakers in attendance to witness, firsthand, the impact of their work on the general audience.    

Lee Lindsay, executive director of Steps to Hope, will moderate a discussion and open up a conversation on subjects that can be difficult for people even think about, much less openly discuss. Lindsay has invited Kathleen Balogh, Western Region director of the Council for Women – Department of Administration for Governor of the State of North Carolina and statewide director for North Carolina’s Batterer Intervention Programs. She and her staff manage state funded grants for assistance to the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault throughout our area. She has been with the Council for Women nearly 20 years.

The decision to open a category on Human Rights & Dignity came at the suggestion of Homayra Sellier, the founder of Innocence in Danger, a multinational organization chartered with tackling the many facets of child sexual abuse.

“I believe that it is very timely to unpack these issues especially in light of the world today.  Film, like no other medium, has the unique ability of conveying the message of crimes that have been historically ignored and overlooked,” said Gollwitzer. Sellier, Gollwitzer and the other supporting organizations believe that it is way past time for society to open their eyes, hearts and minds to the widespread activity of domestic violence, rape and child sexual abuse.

For more information on TRIFF 2016, to be held in Tryon Oct. 7 – 9, visit: www.tryoninternationalfilmfestival.com, www.tryonarts.org and Facebook.

– article submitted by Kirk Gollwitzer