Lydia Kane, a senior majoring in film and video production at The University of Toledo, is looking forward to screening her documentary at a film festival in Santa Monica, Calif.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am beyond excited!\u201d Kane said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great opportunity for this film to spread to other people and hopefully inspire them to volunteer some of their time to helping others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her documentary, \u201cLearning Through Service,\u201d is about helping people who are homeless, and it will be shown at the fourth annual Awareness Film Festival Sunday, July 28, at the Promenade Playhouse. <\/p>\n
The festival was created to bring awareness to the ecological, political and well-being of the world.<\/p>\n
In 2012, Kane traveled with 35 students on an alternative spring break service project to New York City and volunteered at a homeless shelter and soup kitchen. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile I knew that the problem of hunger and homelessness existed, it didn\u2019t actually hit me until I traveled to New York City with the learning leadership through service community,\u201d Kane said. \u201cI was able to see the hundreds of people that lined up for food and their eyes light up to have a warm meal and to have someone to have a conversation with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kane was asked by Dr. Sammy Spann, assistant provost for international studies and programs, and Sara Clark, assistant director of the Center for International Studies and Programs, to document the experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere at UT, we are very proud of Lydia for exploring her world, going beyond the boundaries of normal academic experiences, and showing that UT is more than just a part of Ohio but a part of the world,\u201d Spann said. \u201cWe like creating these opportunities for our student populace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kane submitted her documentary for inclusion in the festival and it will be shown as part of the Student Shorts Block with other short documentaries. Kane\u2019s film is about 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
httpv:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UgwRktYV6js&feature=youtu.be<\/p>\n
For more information about the Awareness Film Festival, go to awarenessfestival.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n