WORDS FROM THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR

HRH Princess Angelique Monét, Duchess of Aquitaine

Welcome and thank you for your interest in Artisan Festival International: Cannes World Peace Initiative and Hamptons World Peace Initiative. I am pleased to promote my international platform of world peace through arts and culture. World Peace has always been my mission and platform, even while Ms. Black South Carolina USA, where I promoted self-esteem among young people through positive communications and the arts.  When young people are educated and enlightened through artistic expression and endeavors, self worth begins.  This is the beginning of my story, as a child who experienced first hand how the arts can develop social, educational, disciplinary, and even academic success rates. 

By the age eight I was placed in a special education program, having gone through numerous tutors. With educators as family members, it was embarrassing and stressful for me. I was warned, if by the end of my fifth grade year I did not show any improvement I would be placed in full time special education courses when entering middle school. In my home was a piano, often played by my aunt who knew pieces by Beethoven and Bach. When I began banging on the piano in a stressful way, my granddad decided it was time for private lessons.  By the end of the school year, not only did I know how to play a few songs on the piano, I tested ready for the eight grade and was placed in advanced and honors classes upon entering middle school. It was the arts that opened up my senses, which is why the mission starts with our children, and must begin in the home.  Ignorance is defined merely as  “lacking knowledge, information or awareness." We all cannot claim to know any and everything. With the AFI World Peace Initiative we can begin to expand our understanding and appreciate other cultures in addition our own.

The Artisan Festival International had it’s beginnings as the Hamptons Black International Film Festival began in 2008 with the idea of bringing African Diaspora to the Hamptons. The focus was on Diaspora International Cinema from United States, Brazil, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and even India. With my visit to Cannes in 2010, I had the pleasure of meeting Rashid Bahati who believed in the festival and offered his curating experience, having curated and hosted several festivals. While in Cannes I also met with His Excellency Mr. Ranjan Mathai Ambassador of India to France, and His Excellency Michel Ching-long Lu Ambassador of Taiwan to France, about future film co-productions and expanding some of their countries great Cinema to showcase in the Hamptons.  To date I have met with diplomats, embassies, royals, US politicians, and established artists to expand international arts and culture.

I am pleased to provide an international platform for emerging and established filmmakers, visual and video artists, fashion designers, and musicians.  I am an artist myself and I realize that each branch of the artist community builds on top of each other. A film for instance, has many layers before it can be seen by the masses. It starts with a story which becomes a script, which then must be produced. A production includes lighting, sound, art direction, music, wardrobe, editing, color correction, actors, cinematography, all of which must work together in harmony for a collaborative piece of art to be created. Each component is it's own refined industry, with specialized artisans for each specific area.  For this reason, it became obvious that expansion was the natural choice, to encompass a fuller perspective on the artist community. 

I believe you must seek world peace. There are many organizations that promote world peace through your fiscal sponsorship however, the common goal of others creates the accomplishment of us all.  If I can help just one individual then my mission has started in the correct direction. Imagine if that person helps another person, and the cycle continues to expand. It can start with YOU being a part of a World Peace Initiative that will yield positive results.

          Sincerely Yours,