World Cinema Day brings middle and high school students and teachers to Madison for a special free screening of a high-quality, international film with an introduction before the film and a Q&A/discussion after the film. Advance registration is required for this event.
Event Schedule:
11-11:30 am Students arrive at the Barrymore theater and pick up snacks
11:30 am Brief introduction from Wisconsin International Resource Consortium (WIRC) and film director, Amman Abbasi
11:40 am Film screening begins (runtime: 76 minutes)
1 pm Discussion and Q&A with film director, Amman Abbasi
1:30 pm End of event, return to busses
This is an annual event held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Film Festival.
2025 Film Selection: Yasmeen’s Element (2024)
April 4, 2025, 11:30 am
Barrymore Theater (Map)
in Urdu with English subtitles
Sponsored by WIRC and the Wisconsin Film Festival
A young Pakistani schoolgirl named Yasmeen loses her homework – an element from the periodic table – and embarks on a day-long quest to find her Professor’s house. As she weaves through the neighboring towns and villages, she is helped and sometimes hindered by those she encounters – a parable for what women’s education can be in an unstable place.
Registration is now closed for World Cinema Day 2025
Previous World Cinema Days
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"Rickshaw Girl" World Cinema Day 2023
World Cinema Day 2023
Rickshaw Girl, based on a novel by Mitali Perkins
Language: English/Bangla (Bengali)
Mitali Perkins herself will introduce the film and hold a discussion & Q&A after the film
A daring Bangladeshi teen-aged girl battles the dangers of the big city when she disguises herself as a boy to earn extra cash for her struggling family.
Learn more about the film and view the trailer here.
SCHEDULE
10:45-11:10 Students arrive at Shannon Hall (located inside the Memorial Union)
11:10 Brief introduction of the film
11:20 Film screening begins (Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes)
1:00 Q&A with Mitali Perkins, author of Rickshaw Girl
1:30 Return to Busses or Go to Lunch
Students are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. Following the film, students are welcome to move to Memorial Union Terrace, Library Mall, or Bascom Hill for lunch. No food is allowed in the theatre.
Questions? Please contact Andrea Fowler at assistantdirector@southasia.wisc.edu.