About Crossing Borders Films
Crossing Borders Films (CBF) is a not for profit educational film production company dedicated to deepening intercultural understanding through its documentary films. It was founded by film director and educator Arnd Wächter.
Our Vision
The current world situation is largely shaped by cross-cultural tensions and our survival depends on intercultural understanding. During this time, there is a critical need for a new generation of individuals and leaders who understand the major challenges of cross-cultural conflicts and who have the capabilities, commitment and grit to address them.
Through our films we help to:-
- address the pressing need for intercultural understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.
- strengthen intercultural relations between people of diverse backgrounds by enhancing conflict resolution skills.
- awaken young people’s interest in global issues and active civic engagement.
Crossing Borders Trilogy
Our three feature length documentaries focus on the interactions of youth from diverse cultural and social backgrounds in different situations. While each film stands on its own, they are designed to be integrated with cross-cultural trainings, social engagement projects and personal development programmes.
- Crossing Borders focuses on the transformative impact of intercultural friendships on stereotypes and preconceptions.
- The Dialogue focuses on young people discovering a variety of intercultural communication skills.
- American Textures explores intercultural and conflict mediation skills in the context of interracial issues within the US.
Our films help to initiate powerful cross-cultural dialogues and empower individuals to see the world from different perspectives, and to realize their opportunities and responsibilities for global concerns.
Our Collaborations
Crossing Borders Education
Working closely with Crossing Borders Films, our sister company Crossing Borders Education (CBE) creates intercultural educational resources that empower individuals to see the world from multiple perspectives. CBE provides facilitators for CBF film screenings and has produced a series of educational toolkits built around the CBF film trilogy.
National Geographic Education
Together with National Geographic Education, CBF has created a set of web based tools with intercultural activities built around the Crossing Borders Trilogy. The tools support the National Geographic's vision to deepen geo-literacy amongst the American public and to raise awareness for the interconnectedness of our planet.
The Center for Conflict Transformation (CCT)
CBF has partnered with CCT for the production of its intercultural materials, conflict mediation trainings and for public events. CCT director Ana Rhodes Castro facilitated the group processes during production of The Dialogue and American Textures.
Michigan State University (MSU)
CBF's second feature documentary The Dialogue was co-produced with MSU. The collaboration was part of MSU's International Studies and Programs and has resulted in a number of intercultural events around The Dialogue.
Our Team
Arnd Wächter - Founder, Director & Producer
Arnd was born in communist East Germany and grew up next to the Berlin Wall. After nearly two decades of travelling across the world and living abroad he founded Morocco Exchange, a non-profit organization which runs intercultural programmes in Morocco for American students. Arnd's passion for the transformative power of cross-cultural interactions continued with the founding of Crossing Borders Education and Crossing Borders Films.
Core Film Team
Cinematography/Editor: Jose IglesiasComposer: Rhett Brewer
Camera Operators: Jorge Sousa, Mariela Nieves, Tara Lobsang, Colin Marshall
Sound Recordist: Hyo Jin An
Advisors
Mark Bauman, Executive Vice President, National Geographic TVAndrea Swift, Chair Documentary Department, New York Film Academy