cinéSPEAK presents OKTHANKSBYE *Philadelphia Premiere*

Every year, when the weather is *just* right, we bring audiences together for magical evenings of outdoor cinema at Clark Park in West Philly. Each week, we proudly feature incredible independent films from around the world, local DJs, food trucks and much more!

All events are free and open to the public. Registration is requested. Bring-Your-Own blankets and chairs.

cinéSPEAK Under the Stars at Clark Park 2024 is produced thanks to generous on-going support from Independence Public Media Foundation.

Attend Under the Stars 2024 closing night, with films celebrating the stories of young people with disabilities. OKTHANKSBYE / Okedoeibedankt is a Dutch narrative film about two classmates at a boarding school for the deaf, shy Jamie and bold Imane, who set off on an unexpected road trip to Paris. The preceding short documentary Makayla’s Voice: A Letter To The World follows Makayla, a Black teenage girl with a form of autism that has rendered her essentially nonverbal, as she gains the tools to communicate through letter board therapy.

The Philadelphia Premiere of Summer Qamp is produced in-partnership with The Free Library of Philadelphia.

**EVENT FLOW**

COME EARLY! SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES. Food trucks, community partners and vendors will be on Chester Avenue near our event entrance (at approx. 4350 Chester Ave) and along our sidewalk by playground. Check social media and our website for updated listing of vendors, food trucks and community partners participating in our festival.

ALL AGES STORYTIME @ 6PM

DOORS / DJ (To Be Announced...) @ 7:00 - 8:45 PM

Welcoming Remarks @ 8:45 - 9:00 PM

FILMS @ 9:00 - 11:00 PM

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**THIS EVENT IS OUTDOORS** This event is NOT rain or shine. See below for more info.

**BYO-CHAIRS or BLANKET** Lots of guests choose to come early and picnic with family and friends (what fun!) Seating is first come, first served. Please socially-distance.

**RAIN DATE INFO** **THIS EVENT'S RAIN DATE: SATURDAY MAY 25** If we need to cancel/postpone due to rain/stormy weather, we will notify all registrants via email and announce on social media day-of.

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**TICKETS**

GENERAL ADMISSION: FREE! *Registration is requested** This will help us notify you in the chance of postponement.

**DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!**

Donate Here:

Be a part of cinéSPEAK’s spring glow up! For the past decade, cinéSPEAK has been using film to help build community and strengthen movements for social justice. There’s so little financial support for this kind of work, especially at the local level in Philly—so we're asking our community to pool our resources so that cinéSPEAK can unroll this exciting new season of Under the Stars and continue to spotlight filmmakers and organizations in our journal. Can you offer $5, $10, or $15 toward our goal? Every little bit helps.

Over 60% of cinéSPEAK’s budget goes directly into the hands of artists—the filmmakers, moderators, and musicians that make the events so special and the writers who contribute to our journal. And the rest supports the logistics to make it all happen. Let’s build the world we want where artists are valued, and cultural events are accessible to all.

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ABOUT THE FILMS:

OKTHANKSBYE / Okedoeibedankt—Philadelphia Premiere

Director Nicole Van Kilsdonk / Netherlands / 2024 / 1hr 32min / Dutch, Dutch Sign Language, French; Open Captions and Audio Description / Fiction Narrative, Disabilities, Coming of Age

In this narrative film, classmates at a boarding school for the deaf, shy Jamie and bold Imane, set off on an unexpected road trip to Paris. When things do not go as planned and the trip takes an adventurous turn, Jamie must come out of her shell.

MAKAYLA'S VOICE: A LETTER TO THE WORLD—Philadelphia Premiere

Director Julio C Palacio / US / 2024 / 24min / English / Documentary, Disabilities, Coming of Age

Makayla, a black teenage girl, has spent her life grappling with a rare form of autism that rendered her essentially nonverbal. However, her parents, filled with unwavering belief in their daughter's potential, embarked on a transformative journey to discover the true depth of Makayla's inner world. Eight months ago, a groundbreaking breakthrough came into their lives in the form of letter board therapy, a method that finally provided Makayla with the means to communicate. As her voice gradually emerges, the audience is invited into a world of wonder, poetry, and brilliance that was once hidden from sight.

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ABOUT THE VENUE — The Bowl at CLARK PARK

**Located at approximately 4350 Chester Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104—between 43rd and 44th streets and Chester and Kingsessing Avenues**

Established in 1895, Clark Park is in the heart of Philadelphia’s University City neighborhood. With more than 300 trees, the park covers nine acres. The park’s boundaries are Baltimore Avenue, Woodland Avenue, 43rd Street and 45th Street.

In addition to private residences, the park’s neighbors include the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, the HMS School for children with Cerebral Palsy and a City of Philadelphia District Health Center.

Directions: Our event takes place in 'The Bowl' at Clark Park. The 'entrance' to our event is on the south side of the 4300 block of Chester Avenue at the sidewalk leading to the playground area.

—Driving/Parking: Parking is limited and not guaranteed. If you plan to drive, we would recommend trying to park along 43rd or 45th streets or along Chester Avenue.

—via Public Transit: The park is located directly on the Route 13 Trolley OR a short walk from Route 34 that runs on Baltimore Ave. If taking #13, get off at 43rd St and Chester Ave.

—via Ride Share apps: We recommend inputting the destination as: 4350 Chester Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

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ABOUT CINÉSPEAK:

We are a Philadelphia-based cinema organization that engages diverse audiences through our independent, repertory and foreign film programming; creating space and centering the stories of individuals and communities that are often underrepresented in mainstream cinema.

We promote community togetherness and global understanding by engaging film enthusiasts while cultivating the next generation of discerning moviegoers; encouraging people to demand social justice both on-screen and throughout society.

$ UPPORT OUR WORK—> https://givebutter.com/SpringGlowUp

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PROUDLY PHILLY. BOLDLY INDEPENDENT. SINCE 2013.

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