Each year, more than 70 Producers, Associate Producers, and Assistants volunteer their valuable time and efforts in 12 different departments in order to bring the Annual Artivist Film Festival and The Artivist Awards to reality. The Artivist Staff is a diverse collective with members hailing from the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Australia, and the Caribbean.
To participate as a Producer, Patron, Volunteer, or in another capacity, contact Founder Diaky Diaz:310-712-1222
Board of Directors
The company's founders, Diaky Diaz, Dr. Bettina Wolff, and Christopher Riedesel have a combined 25 years of experience in:
Business Administration, Marketing, Sales, Public Relations, Psychology, Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, Program and Service Development, Location Management, Team Management and Volunteer/Intern Coordination, and Human Resources.
The Artivist founders have trained and managed a diverse volunteer-staff of over 200 people during the past five years of production for the Annual Artivist Film Festival & Artivist Awards, and continue to oversee all day-to-day operations.
Our Board of Directors include acclaimed actors James Cromwell, actor-director James Haven, and Honorary Board Members Dennis Kucinich, 2008 Presidential Nominee and Congressman, and Senator Barbara Boxer.
To view the new Artivist trailer click here!
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Diaky Diaz
In June of 2003, after years of searching for a way to merge her two passions, film and advocacy, Diaky Diaz arrived at the perfect idea: "ARTIVIST." A film festival dedicated to raising awareness for humanity, animals, and the environment. Diaky shares, "I have always felt a responsibility to the world around me. Turning on the 6'o clock news, looking outside my window, seeing our world in such chaos... I felt powerless. Eventually, I realized that I was forcing myself to decide: either look the other way or do something about it. Choosing to be a part of the solution gave me a deep sense of purpose. Since that day, when I got the idea to start this Festival, I have yet to feel powerless." Born in New York City to Dominican parents, Diaky Diaz, a Black-Latina, was raised in the Bushwick projects of Brooklyn. At the age of 15, she voluntarily placed herself in the custody of the foster care agency, "The Jewish Child Care Association". She then lived under their care, as a ward of the State, until the age of 21. Ten years ago, Diaky moved to Los Angeles to pursue a meaningful career in the entertainment industry. In 2003, Diaky launched the "Artivist Film Festival". Co-founded with Dr. Bettina Wolff and Christopher Riedesel, The Artivist Collective, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, produces the International Artivist Film Festival, Artivist Awards, and tours through various countries. "ARTIVIST" is the 1st international film festival dedicated to addressing Human Rights, Children's Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Advocacy. Its mission is to raise public awareness for social, global causes. As President, Diaky supervises the daily productions and operations of the Artivist Organization, co-managing 12 departments and over 50 volunteer-staff members per fiscal year. Currently, Diaky lives in Los Angeles with her life - partner, Dr. Bettina Wolff, a German Psychologist, and their dog, "Kasper", a lively 10 pound terrier. |
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Bettina Wolff, Psy.D. Raised under the repressive Communist regime of the former East Germany, Bettina Wolff was exiled from her homeland in 1984, never dreaming that just five years later the Berlin Wall would fall. During a decade of traveling the world, Bettina experienced diverse cultures, which nurtured her belief that people are more alike than different. Having had the good fortune to grow in a liberal family environment, surrounded by political free thinkers and artists who at times risked their lives for freedom of expression, Bettina developed an independent spirit and curious mind, which she then nourished with her journeys. "Growing up, I lived in two worlds," Bettina says "one where you could be arrested and abused for questioning the system around you, and the second world was my family, where I was encouraged to ask questions, seek answers, and think critically." In 1999 Bettina settled in Los Angeles and began her next chapter of her life. After earning a doctorate When, in 2003, Diaky shared her Artivist vision, Bettina immediately saw the connection with her principles. Collaborating on its conception and management, she embraced the opportunity to promote artists who dedicate their lives to educating and encouraging global social awareness. "I see the Artivist Film Festival as an opportunity to promote artists who dedicate their lives to educating the community and encouraging freedom and global social awareness. I am excited about developing the Artivist Network, as it is the next step towards uniting the artistic and progressive community around the world. |
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Christopher Riedesel Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies - concentration in Film, Christopher moved to Los Angeles in the fall of 1998 to pursue a career in film production. Christopher's affinity for Art and Activism motivated his decision to partner with close friends Bettina Wolff and Diaky Diaz on creating The Artivist Collective and producing the Annual Artivist Film Festival. Between the three of them, they set forth to create an ambitious advocate vision. Currently, Christopher serves on the Board of Directors as V.P. of Finance, his dual function is to track all finances and manage day to day operations. Christopher will continue working with The Artivist Collective, educating the general public on the need for art, education and advocate in our communities.
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