Chicken & Egg Pictures Goes to Washington!

Silverdocs Festival  

June 18th to June 24th

Washington D. C.

 

Next week, we'll set up our Nest on the Hill and support the Chicken & Egg filmmakers as they and their films continue to take-off! 

While there, we'll co-sponsor a special Story Leads to Action, support seven films as they hit the Beltway via our ever stealth PR support brought to them by the 2050 Group, serve up some eggs over breakfast with the gals, and take pride in two Chicken & Egg supported storytellers who are serving on this years Silverdocs jury.  

Who said Chickens can't fly? 

 

Join us for a special Story Leads to Action panel

When: June 19th 1-3 pm

Where: Silver Spring Civic Building, Spring Room

Presented by Chicken & Egg Pictures and Working Films in collaboration with Silverdocs.

Film: Brooklyn Castle

 

Focus:  Share, brainstorm and solidify how to best engage general and strategic audiences during their upcoming "Back to School" 2012 Theatrical Release. How to capitalize on the momentum, myriad festival awards, "buzz", politics, positive catalytic energy surrounding their film, the power of chess and upcoming election.

 

A hand-picked panel of stakeholders, the filmmakers and you – the audience – together will brainstorm a strategy for linking the core elements of this film’s theatrical launch with the concrete needs of the "movement". We're excited to bring this model back to our nation’s capital and Silverdocs, where story indeed leads to action!

 

Judith Helfand, Co-founder of Working Films and Chicken & Egg Pictures,  and Anna Lee, Manager of Filmmaker and Partner Services and Coordinator of the Reel Education Initiative, Working Films, will moderate!

The panelist will include, Delisa Saunders, Human Rights and Community Relations Department, American Federation of Teachers, Sarah Simpson, Communications Associate, Afterschool Alliance, Katie Dellamaggiore, Director/Producer, Brooklyn Castle, and Luis Gustavo Martinez, Senior Policy Analyst, National Education Association. 

 

 

Congratuations to the seven filmmakers and filmmaking teams screening at Silverdocs!

 

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, directed by Alison Klayman

Controversial Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has made a name for himself through his unique conceptual art, use of social media to express political dissent and a penchant for butting heads with the Chinese government. Filmmaker Alison Klayman takes the viewer inside Weiwei’s world as he gives unprecedented access to his work process and personal life. Providing a window to some of the problems surrounding contemporary China, Ai Weiwei remains an unflinching bastion of strength in the midst of oppression.

Betting the Farm, directed by Cecily Pingree & Jason Mann

When a group of Maine dairy farmers are dropped by the national milk company that has been their bread and butter for years, their livelihood is in danger. Refusing to go down without a fight, the farmers take matters into their own hands, banding together to form their own organic milk company, MOO. Stakes are high as they struggle to navigate the treacherous waters of launching a new business as the bills pile up and tensions run high.

 

Brooklyn Castle, directed by Katie Dellamaggiore

At junior high school I.S. 318 in Brooklyn, New York, it isn’t sports or music that reigns supreme among the students – it’s the game of chess. With 26 national championship titles won by the school, chess is for some of them a way to a better future. Brooklyn Castle follows five of these remarkable young adults who share their stories while engaged in fierce competitions around the country. With severe budget cuts looming in the wake of the recent financial crisis, the driven students, along with their dedicated teachers and coaches, fight to keep the program alive.

 

Call Me Kuchu, directed by Katherine Fairfax Wright & Malika Zouhali-Worrall 

In Uganda, homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment or sometimes even death. David Kato, one of the few openly gay men in Uganda, bravely battles the archaic laws of his country along with the other members of a tight-knit group of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender activists. As the local newspapers begin a malicious campaign to “out” known homosexuals and the Ugandan government seeks to pass a new “Anti-Homosexuality Bill,” David and his supporters decide to fight for acceptance and justice rather than live in fear.

Kings Point, directed by Sari Gilman

Welcome to Kings Point, a retirement community located just outside of West Palm Beach, Florida. Inhabited by numerous transplants from New York who were lured by the promise of sunshine and palm trees, Kings Point is a place where retirees have begun a new part of their lives, for some the final chapter. This poignant film closely follows six longtime residents who share their stories of the challenges of starting over in a place where new bonds are formed for some, while others can never bring themselves to get too close.

 

Seeking Asian Female, directed by Debbie Lum

Twice-divorced 60-something Steven lives a quiet life by himself in San Francisco and has a “thing” for Asian women. When he meets 30-year-old Chinese national Sandy online, love blossoms quickly over the Internet. With plans to marry, Steven brings Sandy over from China, but the fantasies both have about each other turn out to be far from reality. With filmmaker Debbie Lum caught in the middle as an impromptu language translator between the two, Seeking Asian Female offers a humorous take on modern romance and the challenges of keeping any relationship together.

Sweet Dreams, directed by Lisa Fruchtman & Rob Fruchtman

Ingoma Nshya is Rwanda’s first and only all women’s drumming troupe. Made up of women from both sides of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the troupe offers a place of support, healing and reconciliation. When the group decides to partner with two young American entrepreneurs to open Rwanda’s first ever ice cream shop, these remarkable women embark on a journey of independence, peace and possibility. Sweet Dreams interweaves intimate, sometimes heart-wrenching stories, with joyous and powerful music to present a moving portrait of a country in transition.

 

For screening dates and times, as well as ticket information, follow each film's link.

_______

 

Chicken & Egg Pictures grantee Lisa Collins (Oscar's Comeback) will serve on the Sterling Short Film competition jury and grantee Stephanie Wang-Breal (Wo Ai Ni Mommy) will serve on the Sterling World Feature festival jury, as well! Congratulations!