Southwest Airlines Supports Pacific Arts Movement.
Southwest Airlines launched a low-fare revolution 43 years ago that is still alive and well today. Ignited by a Maverick Spirit and a passion for serv¬ing others, we set out to do things differently than the other guys. As you may have seen, Southwest Airlines has introduced a modern, new look! Our new logo showcases a heart—fitting for a Company whose very core has always been fueled by the heartbeat of its People.
Our Purpose is to connect our valued Customers to the moments that are most important through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. That was true when we began in 1971, and it’s just as true today. So, while our look may be new, our DNA is the same—with the big heart and big smile travelers have come to love.
Southwest has been hard at work over the past decade transforming to be just as relevant and successful for the next four decades. We enhanced our cabin interiors, installing WiFi and offering free live TV onboard (thanks to DISH!). With the Boeing 737-800 series aircraft, we’re bringing on larger airplanes that are better suited for longer flights. We expanded in big markets like New York City and Washington, D.C., and revamped our Rapid Rewards Frequent Flyer program. We acquired AirTran Airways, and we’re in the final stages of integrating our two airlines to become one by the end of this year. The AirTran integration set the stage for Southwest to launch interna¬tional service for the first time in our history, which we did in July. And last month, a federal law (the Wright Amendment) restricting where we could fly domestically from our home airport of Dallas Love Field was lifted, giving us the Freedom to serve more nonstop markets (including San Diego!) from our hometown. With all these exciting changes happening, we thought it was time for a new visual expression of our brand—one that marries our past to our present and sets the course for where we’re headed in the future.
With that in mind, it’s as important now as ever to keep our heart at the center of the communities we serve. We are proud to support the Pacific Arts Movement and their San Diego Asian Film Festival this November. I invite you to learn more about the impactful work of the Pacific Arts Movement, and how they are truly making a difference in San Diego and for filmmakers throughout the country.
Pacific Arts Movement
November is always an exciting month for Pacific Arts Movement (Pac-Arts) with its San Diego Asian Film Festival taking over the city from November 6-15. Pac-Arts has even more to celebrate this November as it marks a milestone year for two of its largest programs. This is the 15th anniversary of the San Diego Asian Film Festival, San Diego’s premier film showcase for Asian American and international films, and the 10th anniversary of Reel Voices, an annual documentary filmmaker program for high school students. With the valued support of Southwest Airlines, Pac-Arts has been able to deepen the impact of both these programs and share powerful stories with the San Diego community.
The 15th San Diego Asian Film Festival (November 6-15) will showcase more than 140 films from 21 countries at 9 different venues across San Diego. The record number of venues allows the festival to expand its reach to broader audiences from Reading Cinemas in Downtown and the Mission Valley Ultrastar to UC San Diego and the historic La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas. The San Diego Asian Film Festival offers unique opportunities to discover films from around the world, including the San Diego premiere of Martin Scorsese produced gangster film Revenge of the Green Dragons and Yasmine, the first feature film ever produced from Brunei.
Establishing the connection between filmmakers and audiences is an integral piece of the film festival experience. Pacific Arts Movement creates this more personal experience in partnership with Southwest Airlines. At this year’s San Diego Asian Film Festival, Southwest Airlines is flying in filmmakers from Northern California, Chicago, and New York to meet audience members and participate in post-film Q&A’s.
Other world premieres at the San Diego Asian Film Festival include student documentaries from the Reel Voices class of 2014. Since 2005, Pacific Arts Movement has empowered local high school students to learn the art of documentary filmmaking through the Reel Voices program. This intense 12-week summer internship helps students become socially conscious storytellers, learn Final Cut Pro editing, and experience all stages of production and post-production. Students benefit from both hands on learning and workshops with established filmmakers.
Southwest Airlines also supports Reel Voices by flying in filmmakers and guest instructors to lead workshops and lectures for Reel Voices students. San Francisco based Toan Lam, founder and CIO of social media for social change organization Go Inspire Go, flew down to San Diego to inspire Reel Voices students with stories, group exercises, and video examples of everyday heroes making a difference in society. Bringing these experienced filmmakers from across the United States to Pacific Arts Movement enhances the educational experience for Reel Voices students and adds inspiration to their creative process.
Pacific Arts Movement is proud to bring films from around the world to San Diego and give young filmmakers the education and experience to share their stories with the world. With the support of Southwest Airlines and the San Diego philanthropic community, Pacific Arts Movement looks forward to many more years of sharing powerful stories to inspire and entertain a more compassionate society.
