“We are honored to have Lin-Manuel Miranda as our Changemaker this year,” said Wendy Stapleton, Festival Co-Founder and Board Chair. “He is a perfect example of the type of artist and human being we want to celebrate at GIFF. He has used his talent to educate and inspire. In Lin-Manuel’s own words, “Art and philanthropy come from the same place.” Lin-Manuel is acutely aware that he has a platform to help those less fortunate and he has done so tirelessly.

The festival’s executive director and chief operating officer, Ginger Stickel, said it was a “dream come true” to present the award to Miranda, “who has inspired people around the world with her talent, creativity, his passion and his spirit of generosity”.

Miranda will be celebrated on May 25 at L’Escale in downtown Greenwich. Past recipients include Oscar winner Renée Zellweger, Ashley Judd, Harry Belafonte, Eva Longoria Baston, Mia Farrow, Freida Pinto and Abigail Breslin.

Jenna Bush-Hager, host of the Today show and daughter of former President George W. Bush, will host the gala.

“I am especially honored to receive this award from GIFF, a non-profit organization that ‘connects the worlds of art and philanthropy,’ two areas that are so close to my heart,” Miranda said in a statement. hurry. “I wouldn’t be where I am without the investment that art educators have made in students for decades, often made possible only through the philanthropy of others. My family and I made a commitment long ago to continue this philanthropy, to open more avenues for underrepresented artists, to diversify the field, and to enable many more people to be seen and heard.

Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Pulitzer winner Miranda is shortlisted for the Oscars and could land an Oscar for the new Disney movie “Encanto.”

Miranda is best known as the creator and original star of the eponymous “Hamilton” on Broadway, but the gala singled him out for his work with The Miranda Family Fund, which the festival says “supports causes that have long been at the heart of the family’s core values: education, the arts and social justice.

After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, Miranda and her fund invested in relief and reconstruction efforts. Other initiatives have worked to build and create new opportunities for artists of color; helping emerging artists with professional training and support; and break down systemic barriers that prevent underrepresented voices from pursuing careers in the arts, GIFF said.

The Greenwich International Film Festival was founded solely by women and operates as a non-profit organization. Since its inception in 2015, it has become a major event in the city with parties, concerts, the annual gala and screenings of major films competing for prizes. Panel discussions have brought together actors, directors, producers and writers such as John Turturro, Will Arnett and James Ivory and even WWE Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch.

COVID has forced the festival to downsize and go all-digital for 2020 and 2021. Its return comes with a new format: year-round programming instead of just a few days for the festival in the spring.

Stickel said screenings, panel discussions and other events will take place throughout 2022 under the “GIFF: Uninterrupted” banner — a setup that will make it easier for filmmakers to screen their work for Greenwich residents.

“GIFF: Uninterrupted allows us to deliver amazing content and attract top talent year-round,” Stickel said. “The flexibility of year-round programming versus a week-long festival helps us navigate movie release dates, artist schedules and pandemic trends. Our events calendar is dynamic and will be updated on our website on a monthly basis.

In addition to the Changemaker Gala, some events have already been announced:

The Jewish film series will air on its virtual platform from February 25-27. The series, in partnership with The Eve & Simon Colin Family Foundation, will include three documentaries: ‘3 Minutes: A Lengthening’, ‘Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen’ and ‘Stories from the Fiddlers of Hope’.

A May 11 panel, “Progress & Perseverance: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion In Film & Entertainment,” celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion leaders, panelists and industry innovators from from diverse artistic and entertainment backgrounds,” Stickel said.

The competition for the Best Social Impact Film award will conclude with a virtual ceremony on April 27. The $10,000 cash prize is underwritten by Ann and Nick Young.

More information and tickets for the gala are online at www.greenwichfilm.org.

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