Bitter Seeds

Bitter Seeds has recently partnered with the California effort to label GMOs this November! This is a historic event as it will be the first state to vote on mandatory GMO labeling laws. Polls have shown that over 80% of Californians would like to see labeling put in place. Bitter Seeds will be screened throughout the state to win over the other 20% and inspire the rest to take action and help ensure this initiative passes. You can help too by joining the campaign and clicking here.

AXS Map

In the past month, we’ve worked with filmmaker Jason DaSilva and Alice Cook of Brooklyn-based AXS Lab to get the word out about their groundbreaking new website and mobile app: AXS Map. Envisioned during the making of the upcoming documentary When I Walk, AXS Map was designed to supply people with reliable and detailed user-generated information about which restaurants, shops and other businesses are truly accessible to people with mobility and other disabilities. When using the app, people can investigate a venue before finding out in person they can’t enter the building — a common experience for too many!

AXS Map is a first-of-its-kind resource that is going to give people with disabilities, their families and friends, the power to gain and share knowledge of their local communities, and to help anyone, anywhere find the places that accommodate their needs. It will let users rate on a five-star scale the wheelchair accessibility, spaciousness and noise levels of local businesses, educational and public institutions, social hangouts and more. Watch this video to find out more and visit the website at www.axsmap.com. The Android version of AXS Map will be available on Google Play in early July, followed by its release on the iPhone.

Story Leads to Action @ Sheffield and Silverdocs

Last month, Robert attended the Sheffield Doc/Fest to facilitate a Story Leads to Action panel focused on freedom of expression and international law. Frederick Gertten’s film Big Boys Gone Bananas!* is an examination of food giant Dole’s devastating use of pesticides in Nicaragua. After the film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2009, Dole immediately began orchestrating a strategy to control the narrative around the film as well as intimidate Gertten and the LAFF with hefty lawsuits. Read more about Gertten’s experience and the Story Leads to Action discussion on our blog.

A couple of weeks ago, Anna Lee and Judith Helfand moderated a Story Leads to Action panel at SilverDocs. Featuring Brooklyn Castle, the event was a way for filmmakers and other festival goers to strategize with a panel of experts about how the award winning documentary about a chess program at public school I.S. 318 can be used to support high quality afterschool programs. To learn more about the event and the plans for the film check out our blog.

Power to the Pixel

Power to the Pixel is now accepting entries for cross-media projects to The Pixel Market (17 & 18 October), a truly unique gathering of both creative and business talent from around the world and a networking opportunity like no other. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to raise your project's profile in the international arena and, most importantly, get it financed!

Application deadline: Friday, July 20th 1:00pm EST. Submit here!

Cucalorus Film Festival

Cucalorus is seeking submissions for their upcoming festival in Wilmington, NC, November 8-11, 2012. The Works-in-Progress Category offers filmmakers at all stages of production an opportunity to showcase their films in a workshop-style setting. Narrative and nonfiction films are eligible to apply. Films focused on social justice are especially encouraged to submit. The workshop is intended to foster dialogue between filmmakers and target audiences, providing critical feedback for moving your project forward. There is no entry cost if you live within biking distance of their headquarters. Submit today!

Working Films in Documentary Magazine

Check out the Summer 2012 issue of Documentary magazine for an article on Working Films!

Watch videos from our Impact series!