Feature Films
All film screenings will take place at the Edmond Town Hall Theater located at 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470. All screenings are completely free and open to the public, we hope to see you there!
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Lake Michigan in a Dugout
NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE
Lake Michigan in a Dugout is a film following the story of two women chasing their ridiculous dream: to journey around Lake Michigan aboard their handmade dugout sailing canoe, an adventure that would ultimately take them over 1200 miles in 93 days. Told in part through the friendly banter between the two and the friends they made along the way, the documentary explores the search for everyday adventure and the power of our imaginations to push dreams into reality.
Runtime: 1 hour 14 mins Directors: Amy Lukas, Mary Catterlin Screening: 7:30 pm Friday, September 18 Click here to see the trailer! |
About the Filmmakers
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Local southenders, Amy Lukas and Mary Catterlin have grown
up along the Lake Michigan shoreline and have been best friends since
their days at Michigan City High School. Amy graduated from
Valparaiso University in 2011 with a BS in Biology, minors in Chemistry
and Humanities. Mary graduated from Indiana University in 2011
with a BA in Fine Art. The summer of 2012 found them doing other
things...
When Mary started hand carving a cottonwood tree into a dugout canoe, Amy knew they were in for an adventure. Spurred by their love of Lake Michigan and a desire for a challenge, they dreamed big. Both Amy and Mary were relatively (okay, completely) new to long distance paddling/sailing expeditions when they set off on their 1200 mile journey around Lake Michigan aboard their handmade dugout sailing canoe in the summer of 2012. Amy and Mary are both relatively (okay, completely) new to the realm of book & film, but they thoroughly enjoyed the process of telling a story they love. Their 93 day adventure has recently taken the form of a full length documentary detailing the ins and outs of their dream coming to life (and soon a published illustrated journal). They hope to inspire others to follow their dreams, no matter how ridiculous. When asked what is currently taking up their time as 26 year olds, frequent answers include speaking, writing, creating, and adventuring on the southern shoreline of Lake Michigan. Side jobs include non profit work, surf instructing, traveling, and ice cream scooping. Makeba, their dugout sailing canoe, is enjoying her life as a show boat after being featured in an exhibit at the Porter County Museum of History. |
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Most Likely to Succeed
OFFICIAL SELECTION SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
For most of the last century, entry-level jobs were plentiful, and college was an affordable path to a fulfilling career. That world no longer exists. The feature-length documentary Most Likely to Succeed examines the history of education, revealing the growing shortcomings of our school model in todayʼs innovative world. Directed by acclaimed documentarian Greg Whiteley, the film has been named “among the best edu-documentaries ever produced” by Education Week.
The Huffington Post stated that Most Likely to Succeed “delivers a message Americans need to hear, and desperately.” Film Threat said, “This film should be a required course for all parents and educators.” There are a few things that distinguish the film from other documentaries on education. First, its artistic quality is extraordinary, and the story it tells will hold the attention of your audience. Second, it points to the critical issues affecting education today and con-veys the urgency for moving our school into the 21st century . . . but in an inspiring way. Finally, the film poses questions rather than attempts to shove a point of view down the throats of the audience. As a result, we find people across a wide range of audiences engaged and inspired by the film, with lots of energy and commitment to a future of possibility. |
From the Filmmakers
From Greg Whiteley, Director, Writer, Producer:
“Two years ago, if you’d asked my wife and me to describe the ideal school for our two kids, I’d have probably said, ‘the school that will get them into the best college.’ If you pressed me to get more specific about the curriculum or what the teachers would be like, I would have probably cited some school with the highest test scores. I knew our nation’s schools were less than ideal, but I attributed their shortcomings to a general laziness, which caused us to trail China and India in math and science scores. As a result, I was sympathetic to the notion that the school day ought to be lengthened, more homework ought to be required, and teachers and administrators ought to be held accountable for poor test scores. Three years ago, I met Ted Dintersmith, who in turn sent me a copy of Tony Wagner’s book The Global Achievement Gap. Over time, I started to realize that our school system, and the ways we assess it, have become obsolete. But after filming in well over one hundred classrooms across the U.S. and speaking extensively with people like Ted, Tony, Thomas Friedman of the NY Times, Sal Khan of Khan Academy, Laszlo Bock of Google and Sir Ken Robinson, my eyes began to open to what school could and should be. I wanted to curse all of them as I can’t express what a helpless feeling it was to be making this movie and then dropping my own kids off at a school I was now convinced was wasting their time. I can’t think of an issue more pressing or more personal than education.”
“Two years ago, if you’d asked my wife and me to describe the ideal school for our two kids, I’d have probably said, ‘the school that will get them into the best college.’ If you pressed me to get more specific about the curriculum or what the teachers would be like, I would have probably cited some school with the highest test scores. I knew our nation’s schools were less than ideal, but I attributed their shortcomings to a general laziness, which caused us to trail China and India in math and science scores. As a result, I was sympathetic to the notion that the school day ought to be lengthened, more homework ought to be required, and teachers and administrators ought to be held accountable for poor test scores. Three years ago, I met Ted Dintersmith, who in turn sent me a copy of Tony Wagner’s book The Global Achievement Gap. Over time, I started to realize that our school system, and the ways we assess it, have become obsolete. But after filming in well over one hundred classrooms across the U.S. and speaking extensively with people like Ted, Tony, Thomas Friedman of the NY Times, Sal Khan of Khan Academy, Laszlo Bock of Google and Sir Ken Robinson, my eyes began to open to what school could and should be. I wanted to curse all of them as I can’t express what a helpless feeling it was to be making this movie and then dropping my own kids off at a school I was now convinced was wasting their time. I can’t think of an issue more pressing or more personal than education.”
From Ted Dintersmith, Executive Producer:
“I spent my career in the world of innovation. And now I’m immersed in education, having visited hundreds of schools in the past five years. Innovation is the proverbial two-edged sword. On the one hand, it will create many opportunities for innovative young adults. But it will eliminate millions of standard, routine jobs -- and the 21st Century will be brutal for anyone leaving school trained to follow instructions and memorize content. I feel acute urgency in getting the message to students, parents, teachers, and school leaders that millions of futures are on the line. I hope the film conveys this urgency, while offering an inspiring view of what our students, and teachers, can do under the right conditions. I’m passionate about this in part because I grew up in a family that struggled from week to week to make ends meet. I benefited from an education system that made sense for the times, and that helped level the playing field. That education system no longer exists. We owe it to future generations to provide them with an education that elevates their potential. And for those who might wonder if I’m doing this for personal gain, I'm donating any proceeds I get from the film to The Future Project, a non-profit transforming high schools in our inner cities.”
“I spent my career in the world of innovation. And now I’m immersed in education, having visited hundreds of schools in the past five years. Innovation is the proverbial two-edged sword. On the one hand, it will create many opportunities for innovative young adults. But it will eliminate millions of standard, routine jobs -- and the 21st Century will be brutal for anyone leaving school trained to follow instructions and memorize content. I feel acute urgency in getting the message to students, parents, teachers, and school leaders that millions of futures are on the line. I hope the film conveys this urgency, while offering an inspiring view of what our students, and teachers, can do under the right conditions. I’m passionate about this in part because I grew up in a family that struggled from week to week to make ends meet. I benefited from an education system that made sense for the times, and that helped level the playing field. That education system no longer exists. We owe it to future generations to provide them with an education that elevates their potential. And for those who might wonder if I’m doing this for personal gain, I'm donating any proceeds I get from the film to The Future Project, a non-profit transforming high schools in our inner cities.”
Click here to see the trailer!
Tomm Moore, Ireland/Luxembourg/ Belgium/France/Denmark, 93 min. Screening: 1pm Sunday September 20 |
Song of the Sea
ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE
From the creators of the Academy Award®-nominated The Secret of Kells comes a breathtakingly gorgeous, hand-drawn masterpiece. Based on the Irish legend of the Selkies, Song of the Sea tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover the secrets of their past. Pursued by the owl witch Macha and a host of ancient and mythical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse’s powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever. As enthralling for adults as it is for children young and old, Song of the Sea is a wonder of magical storytelling and visual splendor that is destined to become a classic.
AboutSong of the Sea was produced by Cartoon Saloon in co-production with European partners Melusine Productions (Luxembourg), The Big Farm (Belgium), Nørlum (Denmark) and Superprod (France), with the support of The Irish Film Board, Broadcasting Authority Of Ireland, TG4, Section 481, Eurimages, Luxembourg Film Fund, Wallimages, Centre du cinema et de l’audiovisuel de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Danish Film Institute, West Danish Film Fund and Danish Radio.
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Click here to see the trailer!
Runtime: 73 mins Screening: 5pm Sunday September 20 Directors Danielle Bernstein When Clouds Clear Producers Erin Bernhardt Several CNN films Co-Producers Kathy Eldon Dying to tell the Story (TBS), Soldiers of Peace, a Children's Crusade (CNN), and Global Tribe (PBS). Together with Julia Roberts, Kathy exec-produced Extraordinary Moms (OWN). Executive Producers Emmanuel Jal War Child, The Good Lie, Blood Diamond, Girl Rising and National Geographic Stephen Nemeth War Dance, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas |
Imba Means Sing
CONNECTICUT PREMIERE
An independent documentary feature film,IMBA MEANS SING proves the power of music and the empowering impact of an education.
IMBA MEANS SING is the story of one little boy who is a big star. As the celebrity drummer from the Grammy-nominated African Children’s Choir, Moses relies on his youthful resilience. Growing up in the slums of Kampala, Uganda, Moses and his family lack enough resources for him to even attend the first grade. Moses is only eight-years-old when the film begins – yet he knows all too well that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure his future and change the course of his family’s life. We follow Moses as he works for an education and spreads the magic of his African childhood. The film is an intimate character portrait, stunningly shot and told through Moses’ perspective on his one shot journey from poverty towards his dream of becoming a pilot. He is joined by two fellow Choir members – Angel and Nina – as audiences experience Uganda and the West through their inquisitive and joy-filled eyes. We share the heartbreak, homesickness and candid humor: Moses loses his drum solo, Nina yearns for her mom to get a job, and Angel pushes herself to become the first female President of Uganda. As we follow the children home, one thing is certain: life as they knew it will never be the same.
Our goal is to leverage IMBA MEANS SING through audience outreach and engagement to raise awareness and support for music education locally and equal access to education as a human right globally. |
About the Filmmaker
Danielle Bernstein is an award winning filmmaker dedicated to creating work that addresses environmental and social issues. Danielle founded Clear Films Productions, an independent film production company that partners with organizations who can offer solutions. She has worked extensively as a director, producer and director of photography on documentary films as well as non-profit media campaigns. Her directorial debut, When Clouds Clear, attended over 50 film festivals and was the recipient of numerous awards. Additionally Danielle is the recipient of a Cine Golden Eagle Award, Accolade Award, the New York State Council of the Arts Grant, and First Pix NextPix. She is also a guest writer and contributor to ONE.org and the proud new mom to a baby girl!
