Film: Backpack Full of Cash

Posted by Philadelphia Film Festival on October 24, 2016

BACKPACK FULL OF CASH
WORLD PREMIERE
PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL 25

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are very happy to announce the world premiere of our 95-minute documentary BACKPACK FULL OF CASH at the Philadelphia Film Festival with screenings to be held on two Saturdays, October 22 and October 29, 2016. BACKPACK producers Sarah Mondale and Vera Aronow will present the film and participate in a Q&A session after the screenings.

The film examines the movement for market based education reform, including the rapid growth of privately-run charter schools, vouchers and tax credit “scholarships”, cyber charter schools, standardized testing, and the attack on teachers.

BACKPACK follows students, parents, teachers and activists through the tumultuous 2013-14 school year in Philadelphia and other cities, giving viewers an inside look at what happens to public schools when scarce taxpayer dollars are shifted into private hands.

Key participants include children whose lives were upended by the dramatic events that rocked the Philadelphia school district in 2013-14, as well as local leaders including City Council member Helen Gym, Philadelphia’s Chief Education Officer Otis Hackney (former Principal of South Philadelphia High) and School Superintendent William Hite. The film also features interviews with historian Diane Ravitch, policy analyst Linda Darling Hammond, and journalist David Kirp, among other national figures. One of our goals, as filmmakers, is to emphasize the importance of just, fair public schools that are places of hope for children of all backgrounds.

We are especially happy to be premiering BACKPACK FULL OF CASH in the city where we spent so much time filming with the support and cooperation of so many wonderful people. Please join us at one of the festival screenings. We hope to see you there.
PFF25 Festival Screenings

Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 5:10PM
Prince Theater, Philadelphia, PA

and

Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 4:10PM
Prince Theater, Philadelphia, PA

View the full program guide here.
http://filmadelphia.org/wp-content/uploads/PFF25-Program-Guide.pdf

Purchase your tickets here!
http://filmadelphia.festivalgenius.com/2016/films/backpackfullofcash_sarahmondale_filmadelphia2016