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It was a great honor for me to have the opportunity to screen our film at my alma mater, Florida State University. The film was projected at the new Student Life Center and I have to say I was jealous to see the state of the art digital theater the students can take advantage of now. Wow! The film looked and sounded fantastic.
This was the first time to screen the film with a predominantly younger audience, and I felt it had the same energy as previous screenings. After the film we had a panel of myself, Terry Coonan, who is the Director of The Center for Advancement of Human Rights, and Robin Goodman, Professor of English, who specializes in feminist literature.
There seemed a real genuine interest to engage with our panel, and we did have some provocative discussion. The students wanted to understand more about who supports and what drives these women to be so selfless in their endeavors. Then we addressed whether it was successful that girls in Mali would gain assistance, but then end up back in the arms of domestic servitude. I pointed out that some of these girls do not go back to the system, like Kadia who becomes a seamstress apprentice by film's end. Many girls are like Kadia who get training in a skill to get out of the system. And if they do stay in the system, Madame Urbain from Mali says at graduation that these girls will make sure their kids go to school. And that is the important and meaningful change that empowered women bring. A system will not change overnight, but incremental change is quite powerful.
Terry Coonan was an amazing champion for the film. He said this film was quite honest in how it portrayed what he sees out in the field, and that women truly are the catalysts for change in their communities. Most importantly, he was impressed on how the film brought emotion to the concept of women's empowerment. Check back soon for Terry's complete review of the film on our blog!
All in all it was a success. Terry was very interested in using the film in the classroom and was excited to hear we already had a college-level curriculum built. And students were excited to talk to me afterwards both about the filmmaking and the issues presented in the film. It was a great thrill to return with a successful feature and I was happy to see that the film made a big impression on younger viewers.
21 August 2008
22 July 2008
The Power of Local Women's Organizations
Today will be my maiden post about organizations that are part of the growing women's empowerment movement that are working towards helping the world's poor. I want this blog to become a knowledge center for audiences to learn more about how they can take action and make a difference in their hometown. It is amazing to me how many organizations are out there working to create positive change. Now this blog can connect all these groups and direct people to how to get involved.
The first organization I am featuring is called Women's Empowerment International based in San Diego. Founders Win Cox and Leigh Fenly started their organization in December 2003 to provide microcredit loans to women in Sonora, Mexico, just south of their hometown. They began the group with the core values of maintaining communication with the women they assisted and keep the lowest absolute overhead as possible. As they embarked on creating this organization, many people felt they could not stay true to these values. As of today, they have proudly succeeded in not spending any donated money on overhead while never losing contact with someone they have helped start a business.
The started the group with 35 close friends and in five years have a total membership of 550 people. To start a business in Sonora, they need $96 and all of that money goes directly to the individual since WEI is a an all volunteer organization. Win Cox said, "We quickly learned that empowerment was a two-way street. When I started, I felt we would be empowering women in Mexico, but when you visit these women there is a feeling of community and pride you receive in return." This really struck me as a powerful comment in our conversation. It described the exact emotion I hoped the film would achieve for viewers. I wanted audiences to not only experience the power of these women, but to actually take away power from watching them fight throughout the film for their communities.
Women's Empowerment International has expanded recently to helping women in Honduras and Benin. Leigh explained that they choose these countries after an exhaustive search of over 3000 countries. They hope to help the indigenous people of Honduras fight malnutrition and high mortality rates. In Benin, they are working to set-up banks to fund hunger projects that are the epicenters of local villages.
Additionally, WEI has been helping out in San Diego. Two years ago they started the WE Center for STAR (Support, Training, and Assistance to Refugees) and have help 57 women start local businesses. This is obviously a tremendous success and I was very impressed. I asked how they did it and Leigh said it best, "A little money can do big things. Many people believe only rich people are philanthropists, but if you don’t buy that pair of shoes one week then you can provide a loan for someone to change their lives."
In the future, they hope to expand the countries they reach and support. Much like we discuss in the film, they felt it was important to stress how women make sure their financial success directly benefits their children's health, education, and overall well-being. They see communities benefiting from these loans as they create an unbreakable bond and strength amongst the women in the area. When asked why empowering women has such benefits in turning around people's lives, they felt women in these areas are far less damaged due to the effects of poverty, and at the end of the day, they have the moxie to build and grow their families and community.
If you are in the San Diego area contact them at (858) 486-6466 and become part of the solution.
The first organization I am featuring is called Women's Empowerment International based in San Diego. Founders Win Cox and Leigh Fenly started their organization in December 2003 to provide microcredit loans to women in Sonora, Mexico, just south of their hometown. They began the group with the core values of maintaining communication with the women they assisted and keep the lowest absolute overhead as possible. As they embarked on creating this organization, many people felt they could not stay true to these values. As of today, they have proudly succeeded in not spending any donated money on overhead while never losing contact with someone they have helped start a business.
The started the group with 35 close friends and in five years have a total membership of 550 people. To start a business in Sonora, they need $96 and all of that money goes directly to the individual since WEI is a an all volunteer organization. Win Cox said, "We quickly learned that empowerment was a two-way street. When I started, I felt we would be empowering women in Mexico, but when you visit these women there is a feeling of community and pride you receive in return." This really struck me as a powerful comment in our conversation. It described the exact emotion I hoped the film would achieve for viewers. I wanted audiences to not only experience the power of these women, but to actually take away power from watching them fight throughout the film for their communities.
Women's Empowerment International has expanded recently to helping women in Honduras and Benin. Leigh explained that they choose these countries after an exhaustive search of over 3000 countries. They hope to help the indigenous people of Honduras fight malnutrition and high mortality rates. In Benin, they are working to set-up banks to fund hunger projects that are the epicenters of local villages.
Additionally, WEI has been helping out in San Diego. Two years ago they started the WE Center for STAR (Support, Training, and Assistance to Refugees) and have help 57 women start local businesses. This is obviously a tremendous success and I was very impressed. I asked how they did it and Leigh said it best, "A little money can do big things. Many people believe only rich people are philanthropists, but if you don’t buy that pair of shoes one week then you can provide a loan for someone to change their lives."
In the future, they hope to expand the countries they reach and support. Much like we discuss in the film, they felt it was important to stress how women make sure their financial success directly benefits their children's health, education, and overall well-being. They see communities benefiting from these loans as they create an unbreakable bond and strength amongst the women in the area. When asked why empowering women has such benefits in turning around people's lives, they felt women in these areas are far less damaged due to the effects of poverty, and at the end of the day, they have the moxie to build and grow their families and community.
If you are in the San Diego area contact them at (858) 486-6466 and become part of the solution.
14 July 2008
12 July 2008
Reaching the Audience
Television executives tell doc filmmakers at every seminar or film festival conference to "know your audience." Pretty pat advice, but obviously it is true. But sometimes it feels like execs do not understand how powerful your film's audience truly is unless it fits into the vaunted 18-35 year old category.
Last week, we talked with BlogHer about their initiatives this year. They were excited that our film speaks to their core audience of women and might be helpful in launching a screening series they have in the works. If it happens, this is a great synergy for both of us as they speak to the audience we want to reach and our film can be an entertaining, informing, and inspiring evening for their core audience. Their website speaks to nearly 9 million female visitors a month. These are informed women who care about social issues and would be drawn to watching our film. They are not all in the vaunted TV demographic, but if the BlogHer crowd watches the film on TV then it would be a powerhouse ratings night for a broadcaster.
Additionally, we are beginning to hear from other non-profits. I reached out to Women's Empowerment International and heard back from them within an hour. They were excited that a film spoke to their work in providing microfinance options to women in Mexico, Benin, and Honduras. We will be speaking later this week and this is the beginning of getting additional non-profit partners on board to prove the power of women.
It is an exciting time as people begin to hear about the film and understand the value of partnership. This network of women will be the reason the mass public is aware of the movement and help it grow stronger.
Here's to hearing from you and how we can reach everyone about the film and the solution to stopping the marginalization of women and girls around the world.
Last week, we talked with BlogHer about their initiatives this year. They were excited that our film speaks to their core audience of women and might be helpful in launching a screening series they have in the works. If it happens, this is a great synergy for both of us as they speak to the audience we want to reach and our film can be an entertaining, informing, and inspiring evening for their core audience. Their website speaks to nearly 9 million female visitors a month. These are informed women who care about social issues and would be drawn to watching our film. They are not all in the vaunted TV demographic, but if the BlogHer crowd watches the film on TV then it would be a powerhouse ratings night for a broadcaster.
Additionally, we are beginning to hear from other non-profits. I reached out to Women's Empowerment International and heard back from them within an hour. They were excited that a film spoke to their work in providing microfinance options to women in Mexico, Benin, and Honduras. We will be speaking later this week and this is the beginning of getting additional non-profit partners on board to prove the power of women.
It is an exciting time as people begin to hear about the film and understand the value of partnership. This network of women will be the reason the mass public is aware of the movement and help it grow stronger.
Here's to hearing from you and how we can reach everyone about the film and the solution to stopping the marginalization of women and girls around the world.
02 July 2008
Film Affects Social Issues?
It is an interesting question and one that I may have answered too idealistically in the past. From the very beginning, I felt Scott's idea was visionary and risky. Both have proven to be the case. Audiences are genuinely enthused, entertained, informed and inspired at our screenings. People bombard Scott, Sheila, and myself after the screening, take our card, and promise to be in touch with their ideas on helping to make a difference. This is where life sets in and very little action happens. I must admit, I have been this person in the past and it angers me. I would say we have gotten 10-15% of realistic action from viewers at this point. Some gains have been significant, but at the end of the day, they are wildly inconsistent.
So is the film "A Powerful Noise" making a difference? In the end, I think it will happen. We have several private screenings being planned by viewers to increase meaningful awareness politically and financially. In terms of distribution, there are champions for this film out there and we are reaching them one by one. But without a higher profile deal in place, we lack the ability to affect a serious number of people. Having a feature length film opens many doors for telling these stories that did not exist in the past, but it is also an additional barrier for entry onto mainstream broadcast channels. In my heart, this is the best film we could have made and it is the right length to absorb the complexity of character and their situation. And in my heart, I see it having a huge impact by the time its life cycle is over and carriage on a major network.
So is the film "A Powerful Noise" making a difference? In the end, I think it will happen. We have several private screenings being planned by viewers to increase meaningful awareness politically and financially. In terms of distribution, there are champions for this film out there and we are reaching them one by one. But without a higher profile deal in place, we lack the ability to affect a serious number of people. Having a feature length film opens many doors for telling these stories that did not exist in the past, but it is also an additional barrier for entry onto mainstream broadcast channels. In my heart, this is the best film we could have made and it is the right length to absorb the complexity of character and their situation. And in my heart, I see it having a huge impact by the time its life cycle is over and carriage on a major network.
25 June 2008
Fans Inspired By The Power of Women
Silverdocs has become the preeminent doc fest in the US with its beautiful 400 seat refurbished art-deco theater as a centerpiece. "A Powerful Noise" was lucky enough to screen there on Friday night to a sold out house. Once again after the film fans were standing in appreciation of the work from the women in the film and others around the world. It is inspiring to see the film emotionally affect so many people.
Ms. Hanh from Vietnam was in attendance for a panel discussion after the film. She was overwhelmed by people's reaction to her story and was inspired that her work resonated with American crowds. Prior to the screening, she was able to speak at the American Psychological Association and discuss the mental anguish of living with HIV/AIDS. Our translator from the film, Chi Mai, said the room of professionals were in tears as she spoke. She was also able to share her story at the CARE National Conference where volunteer participants from around the country visit political leaders from their states to push legislation to help women around the world. I think the message to Capitol Hill was a little more urgent after meeting Ms. Hanh face-to-face. It is amazing how big of heart and tenacity of will Ms. Hanh has to face the stigma of living with the virus in Vietnam and tackle it head on to stop discrimination.
After the screening, I met Amy Kelly, owner of Trinity Health Clubs near Dulles Airport. She was inspired to be a part of our grassroots effort and host a screening fundraiser at her club in the fall. It is this type of activism we are hoping to drive as our film gains festival buzz and reaches out into the mainstream. Amy wrote me a long email about how the film changed her outlook on life and inspired her to make a difference beyond what she is doing for cancer patients at her health club. And she summed up the meaning of the film so perfectly:
"I have seen other films about the struggles of women in other countries, but never one that combined the loss, the strength, the hope and the ENTREPRENEURSHIP of women in such dire circumstances."
This is what I hope more and more audiences begin to realize as they experience "A Powerful Noise" and join the women's empowerment movement to solve global poverty.
Ms. Hanh from Vietnam was in attendance for a panel discussion after the film. She was overwhelmed by people's reaction to her story and was inspired that her work resonated with American crowds. Prior to the screening, she was able to speak at the American Psychological Association and discuss the mental anguish of living with HIV/AIDS. Our translator from the film, Chi Mai, said the room of professionals were in tears as she spoke. She was also able to share her story at the CARE National Conference where volunteer participants from around the country visit political leaders from their states to push legislation to help women around the world. I think the message to Capitol Hill was a little more urgent after meeting Ms. Hanh face-to-face. It is amazing how big of heart and tenacity of will Ms. Hanh has to face the stigma of living with the virus in Vietnam and tackle it head on to stop discrimination.
After the screening, I met Amy Kelly, owner of Trinity Health Clubs near Dulles Airport. She was inspired to be a part of our grassroots effort and host a screening fundraiser at her club in the fall. It is this type of activism we are hoping to drive as our film gains festival buzz and reaches out into the mainstream. Amy wrote me a long email about how the film changed her outlook on life and inspired her to make a difference beyond what she is doing for cancer patients at her health club. And she summed up the meaning of the film so perfectly:
"I have seen other films about the struggles of women in other countries, but never one that combined the loss, the strength, the hope and the ENTREPRENEURSHIP of women in such dire circumstances."
This is what I hope more and more audiences begin to realize as they experience "A Powerful Noise" and join the women's empowerment movement to solve global poverty.
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