May 1, 2024 / Modified may 1, 2024 10:54 p.m.

The documentary "The Happiest Country in the World: Finland" explores the reasons why.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: What "Bad Art Night" at the Arizona Science Center offers the creatively curious; "I Dream in Widescreen 2024" showcases a new class of film makers; and "Stories That Soar!" offers a 4th grader's perspective on "Self Love".

I Dream in Widescreen State of the ArtZ thumb At the end of every spring semester the UA School of Theatre, Film & Television shows the senior students’ thesis films at “I Dream in Widescreen.”
annual University of Arizona’s School of Theatre, Film & Television

Arizona Spotlight

May 2, 2024

NPR
(Download MP3)

Featured on the May 2, 2024 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

  • Why has the nation of Finland been named “the happiest country in the world” 7 years in a row by the United Nations? Mark talks with Nina Trasoff, former Tucson City Council member and the co-producer & host of a new documentary airing on PBS that explores the many factors that contribute to “Finnish happiness”.

Nina prison system interview Nina Trasoff interviews Prison Director Tuomo Kärjenmäki while investigating the prison system in Finland for the documentary "The Happiest Country in the World: Finland".
AZPM Staff

Nina with mom and child While investigating maternal health care in Finland, Nina Trasoff sits down with a mother and her infant. The interview is part of the documentary "The Happiest Country in the World: Finland".
AZPM Staff

student directors 2024 VIEW LARGER Fiona Paskoff, Kat Kones, and Jackson Huffman visit the AZPM studios to talk about their short films featured in "I Dream in Widescreen 2024".
Kerryn Negus
Jackson Huffman Headshot VIEW LARGER Jackson Huffman is the director of the short film "Ricardo Rivera and the Mines of Montezuma" part of the 2024 "I Dream in Widescreen" student film showcase.
University of Arizona

Still from Ricardo Rivera  "I Dream in Widescreen" A still from the short film "Ricardo Rivera and the Mines of Montezuma", directed by Jackson Huffman, part of the 2024 "I Dream in Widescreen" student film showcase.

Kat Kones Headshot VIEW LARGER Kat Kones is one of the featured student directors presenting her film "Wandered Away" at the I Dream in Widescreen student film festival.
University of Arizona

Still from Wandered Away "I Dream in Widescreen" A still from the short film "Wandered Away", directed by Kat Kones, part of the 2024 "I Dream in Widescreen" student film showcase.

Fiona Paskoff VIEW LARGER Fiona Paskoff is presenting her film "Something Blue" at the I Dream in WIdescreen student film festival.
University of Arizona

Still from Something Blue "I Dream of Widescreen" A still from the short film "Something Blue", directed by Fiona Paskoff, part of the 2024 "I Dream in Widescreen" student film showcase.

  • Find out about “Bad Art Night” at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, and what it has to offer those with creative curiosity.

Bad art night group photo Arizona Science Center staff celebrate following a successful "Bad Art Night".
courtesy of Lauren Pool, Arizona Science Center

Bad art night paint station VIEW LARGER Art enthusiasts gather paints and materials while participating in the family-friendly "Bad Art Night" at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix.
courtesy of Lauren Pool / Arizona Science Center
Community art wall, bad art night VIEW LARGER People of all ages contribute to the design of a community art wall at the first "Bad Art Night" event at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix.
courtesy of Lauren Pool / Arizona Science Center
  • And, are you struggling to build up your own supply of “Self Love”? 4th grader Amanda offers a fresh perspective, sharing how she thinks of herself as a trusted friend and constant ally. It’s a self-help message we can all reflect on, from “Stories That Soar!"

stories that soar spot Literacy Connects presents “Stories That Soar!”, a program where the Tucson non-profit empowers students of all ages by bringing their stories to life with professional actors and musicians.

Web page by Alecia Vasquez.

Arizona Spotlight
Arizona Spotlight airs every Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm and every Saturday at 3:00 pm on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Spotlight.
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