KU News Release

OVERLAND PARK — The Confucius Institute at the University of Kansas has received a $3,675 grant from the Kansas Humanities Council to support the 2011 Kansas City Chinese Film Festival.

The festival will showcase five films from contemporary Chinese directors followed by bilingual discussions, led by humanities professionals, to explore the cultural, historical and social issues raised on the screen. Sheree Willis, director of the Confucius Institute, is the project director. The festival will take place each Saturday in April at the Glenwood Arts Theatre, 9575 Metcalf Ave., in Overland Park.

The Confucius Institute at KU’s Edwards Campus in Overland Park was established as part of an international network of Confucius Institutes dedicated to “enhancing the understanding of the Chinese language and culture.” The institute pursues its mission by offering community language classes, supporting Chinese Mandarin language training in schools and providing outreach to schools, businesses, the government, the media and community groups. The institute serves the state of Kansas, the Kansas City metropolitan area and the larger Great Plains region.

The Kansas Humanities Council conducts and supports community-based programs, serves as a financial resource through an active grant-making program and encourages Kansans to participate in their communities.