WAYNE COUNTY, PA — The Wayne County Public Library (WCPL), partnering with the Wayne County Arts Alliance (WCAA), has been honored by being selected to present a series of international film screenings funded by the Sundance Institute and its Film Forward project. The project uses the power of cinema to advance cultural dialog across generations, religions, ethnicity and borders. Pennsylvania was chosen as one of four states for these screenings. Each film—there are seven of them, shown in six locations—is free to attend and will be followed by a facilitated discussion, and in one case, by a live musical performance.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” said Paul Ludick of the WCAA. “It’s a chance to see top-notch films, to see the world and to discuss what you see with your neighbors.”

The first film, “Twenty Feet from Stardom,” a documentary feature film, reveals the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest music legends of the 21st century. The film will be shown April 12 at 7 p.m. at the Mansion at Nobel Lane, Bethany, and will be followed by a live musical performance by background vocalist Yvette Myles. Patrick Henry Bass, editor of Essence and a contributor to The Takeaway will facilitate a discussion.

“Dancing in Jaffa,” a documentary, tells the story of 11-year-old Jewish and Palestinian Israelis whose experience with each other is transformed through dance thanks to renowned ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine. It will be shown at 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 13 in the Boiler Room at the Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. Marianne O’Brien, formerly of the Joffrey Ballet and the New York City Ballet, will facilitate a discussion.

For more information on all of the films, visit www.sundance.org/filmforward/films.

Here is a list of other films in the series:

“Circles,” a drama, nominated for an Academy Award as best foreign language film, Monday, April 14, 7 p.m., Cinema 6, Honesdale; facilitator Theodore Malakin, filmmaker.

“The World Before Her,” a documentary, Thursday, April 17, 7 p.m., The Himalayan Institute, north of Bethany; facilitator Sheila Vaswani, teacher with 23 years of personal experience with India’s customs, history and culture.

“If You Build It,” a documentary, Thursday, April 24, 7 p.m., the Boiler Room at the Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley; facilitator Alison Green Myers, Montessori School educator.

“The Rocket,” a drama, selected but not nominated for best foreign language film for the 2013 Academy Awards, Saturday, April 26, 7 p.m. Northern Wayne Public Library, Lakewood. Facilitator Kelly McMasters, author, Columbia University writing instructor.

“Valentine Road,” a documentary, Sunday, April 27 7 p.m., The Cooperage, Honesdale; facilitator Michele Minor Wolf, counselor at Victims Intervention Program.

“The Rocket” will be repeated at Cinema 6 on Monday, April 28, 7:30 p.m., Honesdale; facilitator Dr. Philip Mosely, professor of comparative literature and film at Penn State University.