Our Study Abroad Film Festival asks IES Abroad students to capture the spirit of study abroad on film—both what it means to them, and how it redefined their world. For five years in a row, students have submitted breath-taking, thought-provoking, entertaining and beautiful films from every corner of the globe.
In 2018, we received one of the best yet: Philip Baites' Tangier to Casablanca, which puts his original music to video.
“Tangier to Casablanca is a story of pain, joy, longing, and journeys intertwining,” says Philip. “Two months after I arrived in Morocco, my host mother received news that her father unexpectedly passed away in Canada. Ultimately, this tragedy led to a bond to be formed between us, while also teaching me a valuable lesson. We are all on a journey. And it’s not the places or sites seen that have the lasting impact on us. It’s the people.”
Philip recieved the Grand Prize Award in November at the Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, handed to him by our host, famed film critic Richard Roeper. The event which was in benefit of IES Abroad scholarships, was a night full of celebrating our amazing student filmmakers, their evocative films, and our love for study abroad!