David Burstein

David Burstein, 19 years old, talked about his first documentary film, called 18 in '08, and the youth vote in the upcoming presidential elecions. The short documentary that he produced and directed was targeted at 17-24 year-olds, many of whom would be voting for the first time in a presidential election in 2008. The film, intended to encourage them to vote and to become more active in politics has spawned a movement with the same goals. David Burstein spent several years interviewing politicians, popular culture figures, political activists, media commentators, and student leaders around the country. The film explores what is at stake for youth in the 2008 election, how decisions made in Washington today will affect young people for years to come, the issues and ideas that engage them, what disillusions them, why they are cynical about politics, the role of new media in engaging young voters, and candidates who have inspired youth.

Video clips from the documentary were shown. F close