Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit The Skopelos International Film Festival for Youth under the umbrella of The Skopelos Foundation for the Arts. Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

The Skopelos Foundation for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) with a Board of Directors located in the United States with the studio located in Skopelos, Greece. Part of our goal is to support the local community of Skopelos; especially the underprivileged youth. One of the yearly initiatives we offer is the Skopelos Film Festival for Youth (SIFFY) is a yearly filmmaking program for youth. Each year we invite professional filmmakers to work with the children of Skopelos to create short films. The films are based on a yearly theme and we allow children from ages 6 - 18 participate. This year 125 children from Skopelos participated with 16 professional filmmakers from America, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, England, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, Spain and Turkey to make 15 short films. 2020 will mark our tenth year organizing the festival with the theme "Memories". The educational portion will include talking about our memories organizing SIFFY, people's memories of living in Skopelos, senses, what it is like not to have a memory such as having Alzheimer's and much more. There are many causes you can give to but this one will go directly to the children. Every dime is spent towards their education. This is a volunteer program where more than 65 people work for a week to make sure the kids have the most amazing experience possible.

If you don't believe this is a worthwhile cause, see the films for yourselves. Check out two of the 15 films the kids created in 2019:
Life is Colourful
Magic Eyes

2020 Schedule:
July 25 & 26th - Educational courses about memories.
July 27th - Writing the scenario with the filmmaker.
July 28th - Shooting the film
July 29th- Shooting the film
July 30th- Editing the film
July 31st - Editing the film
August 1st - Screening the films

If you cannot donate money, another way to help is to volunteer your time during the festival. We have had volunteers come from America, Australia, Canada, India, S. Africa, S.Korea and other countries. This is a rare opportunity to work with incredibly talented filmmakers and young kids from Skopelos. This is a great way to immerse yourself in this incredible culture and see one of the most beautiful islands in Greece!

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us for more information.
If you can, please give. This will make a difference for our children and our future.
Thank you.
Jill Somer
Associate Director
The Skopelos Foundation for the Arts
www.skopartfoundation.org
Director
The Skopelos International Film Festival for Youth (SIFFY)
www.skopelossiffy.com