The U.S. film industry is arguably the primary exporter of culture throughout the world. But the superhero, high-impact, fantasy films that dominate have hidden the idea of what the U.S. is all about.
Although little known, about a decade ago the U.S. Department of State launched the American Film Showcase which was founded on the idea of screening U.S. made documentaries which depict American life - the good and bad. To my knowledge no other country does anything like this.
The AFS program is administered by the Cinematic School of Arts at the University of Southern California and its American documentaries have disseminated in 111 countries via US Consulates.
Many of these films start out with dire themes but usually end as an uplifting tale of people overcoming their bad circumstances.
In addition to screening films, the AFS sends film industry artists and employees around the world as trainers and instructors to local cinema talent. According to Gandin Mark, Director of International Programs at AFS, "there's a very intense desire to create TV content around the world and we have skills to teach that people trust."
According to, Francisco Perez, a State Department, Public Affairs Officer who has sponsored AFS programs in three continents, says "the power of the messages you can impart through film is very underestimated, by training filmmakers who are learning about human rights, democracy and values that we as Americans hold dear, it's going to influence the rest of their careers."
The AFS is a very worthwhile endeavor that spreads our culture and beliefs worldwide in a non-confrontational and useful manner. It is a program very few of us know about but should.
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