Story Leads to Action @ Sheffield and Silverdocs

Our Executive Driector, Robert West will be heading to the UK, June 13-17, for this year's Sheffield Doc/Fest to lead a Story Leads to Action session that will offer a highly interactive evening with Fredrik Gertten and Big Boys Gone Bananas!*. Working Films UK will develop some early plans for the film's campaign, sharing tactics to reach target audiences and support Take Action steps.

Then on June 19th, Working Films and Chicken and Egg Pictures will bring Story Leads to Action back to SilverDocs. Join us for a high-energy session featuring the award-winning film Brooklyn Castle. This film features the story of an underserved middle school where more than 65% of students are from homes living below the federal poverty level. It also happens to be home to the best junior high school chess team, bar none, in the country. In this session we'll ask how the film's release can be leveraged to build and expand on support for chess and other high-quality afterschool programs in middle and junior high schools.

Reel Economy

Working Films is gearing up for our next thematic residency. This summer we will host Reel Economy, a residency for select grantees of Chicken and Egg Pictures and the Fledgling Fund that will feature nonpartisan documentaries that offer unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within the US and global economic systems. Reel Economy will connect the participating filmmaking teams with nonprofit organizations, online initiatives and funders that are moving us toward a sustainable economy that works for everyone.

Good Pitch NYC

Last month we attended the Good Pitch at the Ford Foundation in NYC. The films pitching this round were Dancing in Jaffa, Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare, The Genius of Marian, The State of Arizona, The House I Live In, The New Black, and The Supreme Price. Our special live-tweeter, Meredith Heil, captured the event. You can read her tweets along with others from the event on our storify page.

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!

Chicken and Egg Open Call

Chicken & Egg Pictures invites talented and amazing women filmmakers to apply. Deadline: June 29th at Midnight (PST). Apply today!

Watch videos from our Impact series!