Reel Aging

With support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, we are excited to announce Reel Aging: Real Change, an initiative tying compelling documentary films and transmedia projects on aging into the ongoing policy work and grassroots campaigns supportive of older populations globally. This new collaborative initiative between media makers and advocates of elder rights will offer audiences a unique way to reflect on the futures we all face growing older. The four-day residency for accepted projects will take place March 23 – 26, 2012. Apply today! Deadline is January 6th, 2012.

Working Films celebrates An American Promise and Semper Fi at Cucalorus

Working Films is hosting a celebration of two films that are part of the line up in the hip local indie film fest, Cucalorus.

Rachel Libert and Tony Hardmon's award-winning film, Semper Fi: Always Faithful tells the story of Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger who devoted 25 years of service to the U.S. Marines. While he was stationed at Camp Lejeune, his 9-year-old daughter died from a rare form of leukemia. The film follows Ensminger's quest to find out why. His exhaustive search for answers leads him to discover a cover-up of one of the worst cases of toxic water contamination in U.S. history.

An American Promise (work in progress), co-directed by Michele Stephenson and Joe Brewster, documents the education of two African American boys from kindergarten through their high school graduation in 2012. A complex picture emerges of racial identity, education, privilege and parenting in this groundbreaking personal verite film.

Two short films by Working Films' staff will also be screened during Cucalorus. Jemila's Tale, written, directed and edited by our 2011 George Stoney Fellow, Christina Bryant, is a story of a young black girl who discovers there are no princesses like her in fairytales, so she decides to create her own. It will be shown during the Mollypettit shorts on Saturday, November 12 at 10:00am. On Thursday, November 10th at 7:45pm, Out of Serivce will screen at Jengo's Playhouse. Created by our Dirty Business Community Engagement Coordinator, Andy Myers, Out of Service spotlights UNC student, Sara Isaacson who was kicked out of ROTC after coming out as a lesbian.

Please join us for an intimate reception for these films on Saturday, November 12, 6pm - 8pm, at the Working Films firehouse on Castle St. and Fifth Ave., Wilmington, N.C. This event is open to Cucalorus donors, pass holders, and filmmakers only. Buy a Cucalorus pass here.

Crowdfunding xoxosms

Nancy Schwartzman has written a great article for the Cinereach blog explaining how she raised over $8,000 for her short film, xoxosms. She takes readers through her whole strategy and the timeline for her kickstarter campaign. If you're thinking about starting a crowdfunding campaign, this article is a must read!

Good Pitch UK Wrap Up

The last Good Pitch event of this year took place in Europe on September 25th at the Royal Institute, wrapping up our third year of participation providing training and campaign support to participating filmmakers. The event facilitated effective, world-changing partnerships between documentary film and the brand, NGO, philanthropy and media sectors. Check out the recap on Brit Doc's website.

Story Leads to Action
What's On Your Plate
& Pipe Fire

On Thursday, November 17th, STORY LEADS TO ACTION will celebrate the success of What's On Your Plate and feature the new film Pipe Fire. Both of these New York-based projects will have just participated in our Reel Food residency.

For more information & to purchase tickets, please visit 92Y.org.

Funding Opportunities

The MacArthur Foundation's goal in media grantmaking is to provide the public with high-quality, professionally produced documentary films, deep and analytical journalism, and well produced news and public affairs programming. Find out more details on their website.

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Watch videos from our Impact series!

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