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Contact: Reva Goldberg (reva@cinereach.org)
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CINEREACH SELECTS 2010 REACH FILM FELLOWS

2008 Fellowʼs Film Premiered on POV

Marilyn Agrelo (Mad Hot Ballroom), Laurie Collyer (Sherrybaby), Annie Sundberg (The Devil Came on Horseback), Jeremy Kipp Walker (Cold Souls) sign on as mentors.

www.cinereach.org

New York, NY (September, 2009) – Cinereach has announced the names of the 2010 Reach Film Fellows and their mentors, launching the third year of a program that nurtures socially conscious filmmakers at early stages in their careers.

The Reach Film Fellowship (RFF) is a unique and intensive six-month program in which four filmmakers work with individual mentors, a team of advisors, and Cinereach staff to take their short fiction and nonfiction films from concept to completion. RFF fellows each receive a $5,000 grant and production resources. At the conclusion of the fellowship cycle, an additional $5,000 award will be presented to one of the four Fellows for the completion and distribution of his or her RFF film.

“Weʼve seen how access to mentorship and advising from successful independent filmmakers really makes the difference for those just starting out,” said Cinereach Founder and Executive Director Philipp Engelhorn. “Itʼs critical to encourage young filmmakers who are inclined towards making films of social relevance, and to help them do that effectively through cinematic storytelling.”

Past RFF mentors have included Albert Maysles, Nicole Kassell, Rachel Grady, So Yong Kim, and Sandi DuBowski and this yearʼs participants represents another dynamic cross-section of important indie filmmakers: Marilyn Agrelo (Mad Hot Ballroom), Laurie Collyer (Sherrybaby), Annie Sundberg (The Devil Came on Horseback) and Jeremy Kipp Walker (Cold Souls).

This yearʼs program also gives the fellows the opportunity to work with consulting producers Susan Leber (Down to the Bone) and Yoni Brook (Bronx Princess) throughout the months-long experience. Master classes are offered throughout the program, lead by advisors like Director and Cinematographer Ellen Kuras (The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Summer of Sam), Dan Cogan, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Impact Partners, Director Edet Belzberg (Children Underground, The Recruiter) and more.

The 2010 Reach Film Fellows, Mentors and films are:

• Nadia Hallgren (mentored by Annie Sundberg) Love Lockdown (nonfiction): A popular late-night hip-hop radio host is the on-air go-between for three incarcerated men and the women they love on the outside.

• Courtney Hope (mentored by Jeremy Kipp Walker) Wild Birds (fiction): Two little girls enter the woods to play at being “wild” and we learn what they are actually running from as the story unfolds.

• Gabriel Long (mentored by Laurie Collyer) Brothers (fiction): Two young boys live in the shadow of an abusive father. One boy grapples with sexual identity and the other becomes his unlikely protector.

• Anthony Morrison (mentored by Marilyn Agrelo) Our Principal Intent (nonfiction): A determined school principal embarks on a search for undocumented autistic children among minority and low-income populations.

“This year there will be a lot of emphasis on helping our fellows think strategically about audience building and distribution strategy,” said Reva Goldberg who runs the Fellowship at Cinereach. “Many new challenges and opportunities face filmmakers in todayʼs industry and we want to help our Fellows launch sustainable careers.”

The first RFF workshop of the year took place earlier this month; first a pre-production preparedness talk from Yoni Brook and Susan Leber, then a brainstorming session on audience building and distribution strategy from Dan Cogan (Impact Partners), Leah Sapin (Arts Engine) and Nekisa Cooper (2008 Sundance Institute Creative Producing Fellow).

In an effort to share lessons learned behind closed doors during the fellowship more widely, the Cinereach staff will also build a network of film educators who can elect to receive learning tools and resources that grow from fellowship workshops.

2008 Fellow Annie Waldman premiered her RFF short So The Wind Wonʼt Blow it All Away at Sundance 2009. It aired September 22nd on PBSʼ acclaimed P.O.V. series alongside Yoni Brookʼs Bronx Princess (a Cinereach grant recipient). Updates regarding all former and current fellows and grantees are tracked on the Cinereach blog at cinereach.org.

About Cinereach
Cinereach was created in 2006 by young filmmakers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs to champion vital stories, artfully told. The young not-for-profit facilitates the creation of films that challenge, excite, innovate, offer new perspectives and inspire action through three initiatives: Grants & Awards, The Reach Film Fellowship and Productions. Cinereach has awarded well over $2.5 million in grants and achievement awards to more than 40 feature films. Recent highlights include October Country, a new documentary by Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher, which won Best American Documentary at Silverdocs and Entre Nos a fiction film by Paola Mendoza and Gloria La Morte, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival this year and took home an Audience Award at the Newport International Film Festival. Both films continue to garner accolades on the national and international festival circuit.

The Reach Film Fellowship is a granting and mentorship program (entering its third year) in which Cinereach helps four young filmmakers produce socially conscious shorts. Cinereach Productions is currently in development on two feature film projects. Cinereach also forms collaborative funding partnerships with other nonprofit organizations including Arts Engine, Rooftop Films and the Sundance Institute.

Ellen Kuras & Thavi Phrasavath's "The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)"

According to POV, “After the Academy-award nominated The Betrayal aired on PBS last Tuesday, the response from POV viewers was that they could not get enough of this “well-done, meaningful, compelling” film by renowned cinematographer Ellen Kuras and Thavi Phrasavath.” To read viewers’ comments, please click here. For rebroadcast details, please click here. 

Ellen Kuras & Thavi Phrasavath's "The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)"

Academy-Award nominated and Cinereach Award winner “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” will be airing on P.O.V. tonight. The film is the directorial debut of renowned cinematographer Ellen Kuras in a unique collaboration with the film’s subject and co-director, Thavisouk (”Thavi”) Phrasavath. For more information on the film and to watch the trailer, click here.

Cinereach Award Recipient "Back Home Tomorrow"

Cinereach has chosen “Back Home Tomorrow” to receive a Cinereach Award, a film making its US premiere at NYC’s Human Rights Watch International Film Festival. The film, directed by Fabrizio Lazzaretti and Paolo Santolini, depicts the moving story of two children affected by war. The Cinereach Award is presented to filmmakers who convey vital messages through artful storytelling. Last year’s inaugural award was given to Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath, for their film “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon).” For more on the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, please click here.

CINEREACH PRESENTS REACH OUT 2009 AWARD
TO REACH FILM FELLOWS BRENDON MCQUEEN AND DANIELLE RUSSELL

Cinereach Screens and Celebrates Short Films
Created by 2009 Reach Film Fellows

www.cinereach.org

NEW YORK, NY, April 7, 2009 - Cinereach presented filmmakers Brendon McQueen and Danielle Russell with its first-ever Reach Out Award at last night’s screening and reception celebrating the culmination of its annual Reach Film Fellowship, which is now in its second year. Cinereach was founded in 2006 by a group of young filmmakers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs with the goal of championing socially relevant films.

McQueen and Russell each received a $2,500 grant they can use to cover costs related to finishing and distribution of their Reach Film Fellowship films.

McQueen worked with mentor and acclaimed director So Yong Kim (Treeless Mountain) on his film, Skip Rocks, which weaves a moving tale of intergenerational alienation and connectedness between a 12-year-old girl, and a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Russell, a recent graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design student, worked with mentor Renee Bishop, a Savannah-based, Emmy-winning producer, on Bridging the Gap, a documentary in which she challenges her parents, aunt and uncle to open up about their participation in a historic civil rights march, hoping to inspire the younger generation to continue the legacy of social action.

Last night’s event was the conclusion of the intensive six-month Reach Film Fellowship program in which McQueen, Russell and two other fledgling filmmakers – Jules Monteyne and Dena Greenbaum, – were paired with mentors and advisors who helped them take their short films from script or treatment through completion. In addition to Kim and Bishop, this year’s mentors were Jeremy Kipp Walker (Half Nelson) and Nicole Kassell (The Woodsman).

All four fellows received a grant of $5,000 at the start of the program, in addition to donated materials and services from sponsors like Kodak, Postworks and Showbiz Software. The fellows also participated in a series of workshops led by advisors such as Academy Award-nominated director Ellen Kuras (The Betrayal: Nerakhoon), producer Susan Leber (Down to the Bone), documentary director Edet Belzberg (Children Underground), screenwriter Afia Nathanial, an acclaimed independent filmmaker from Pakistan, and writer/director/actor Paola Mendoza (Still Standing).

Reflecting the effectiveness of the Reach Film Fellowship program, So the Wind Won’t Blow it All Away, the film directed by 2007/8 Fellow Annie Waldman, was selected to screen at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival among other honors. The other 2007/8 filmmakers have been recognized for their films and subsequent projects at festivals and other venues as well.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch this year’s fellows grow and evolve,” said Cinereach founder Philipp Engelhorn. “At a challenging time like this, it’s more important than ever that we nurture and support filmmakers who dare to tackle difficult issues in an original, entertaining way. They need opportunities to practice their craft and real exposure to the film industry.”

The two additional 2009 Reach Film Fellows are:

• Jules Monteyne (Fiction) – A recent New York University graduate, Monteyne made the film I Go to War With Everything That Doesn’t Make Sense in a Bathtub. His film enters the troubled mind of a young boy at the onset of severe mental illness. The boy’s troubles are further complicated by the adults who misinterpret his delusions.

• Dena Greenbaum (Fiction) – A junior at New York University, Greenbaum made Blues. Her film tells the story of two boys, a religious Jew and African American, who develop a unique friendship during the 1991 riots of Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

About Cinereach
Cinereach was created in 2006 by a group of young filmmakers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs with the goal of championing socially relevant films. Its three key areas, Grants & Awards, Productions, and The Reach Film Fellowship facilitate the creation of films that challenge, excite innovate, offer new perspectives and inspire action. Cinereach has awarded more than $1.6 million in grants and achievement awards since its inception. Past recipients include: The Betrayal (Nerakhoon), a 2009 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary; A Jihad for Love, the acclaimed documentary exploring the complex global intersections of Islam and homosexuality; and Hometown Bagdad, the recipient of four 2008 Webby Awards. Through The Reach Film Fellowship, a program in its second year, Cinereach supports talented young filmmakers creating meaningful short films with artistic merit. Cinereach Productions’ first in-house documentary, The Road Ahead: The First Green Long March, was an official selection of the Hamptons, Queens (Best International Documentary Film), and Cleveland International film festivals and has screened in connection with leading environmental organizations and at the Asia Society in New York.

RFF Advisor and celebrated cinematographer, Ellen Kuras (Swoon, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Blow) made her directorial debut with her film The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) which is currently showing at IFC. The film has received rave reviews from the likes of A.O. Scott, Filmmaker Magazine and Time Out NY. To see a complete list and read articles, click here .

Filmed over the course of 23 years, The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) is an astonishing tale of perseverance – one family’s struggle to survive its journey from war-torn Laos to the streets of New York. Eloquent yet devastating, the documentary reveals the hidden, human face of war’s “collateral damage.”

My approach to film is that of an educator, focusing on issues often overlooked or underexposed. My goal is to educate through film and visual media. The 2008 Reach Fellowship with Cinereach has opened many doors for me so far. In addition to being paired with a great mentor, Mrs. Renee Bishop (a Savannah based Emmy winning writer/producer), I have also had the opportunity to attend several workshops that will enhance my production skills, as I embark on my first major short film, Bridging the Gap.

Danielle Russell, Day 1

At one of last Monday’s workshops, I met Edet Belzberg, known for the Academy Award nominated documentary Children Underground.  Her advice on documentary story development was especially instructive. When she shared what it’s like for her to embark on a new project, it helped me deal with the fear factor that comes to a fledgling filmmaker producing a documentary. Her enthusiasm inspired me to dive in and accept the challenge, reassuring me that even an experienced documentary filmmakers starts out not knowing what she will get in the field.

Afia Nathaniel helped me start to think of potential visual themes that could lend meaning to my documentary, but encouraged me to be prepared to capture things I’m not anticipating and to see themes grow organically as the project progresses. In fleshing out my story with her, I was already able to see some themes emerging. In Bridging the Gap I will compare the private world of the previous generation who is secretive about their past – especially with regard to the Civil Rights Movement – to that of their children (myself included) in whom their parents to not confide or pass on stories of their defining years. When the family gathers, the younger generation congregates in a separate room, one with white walls like a clean slate. The older generation sequesters in a more densely decorated family room where the decor is in more colorful tones. This is a visual theme that will give my film meaning I didn’t even anticipate. 

Ellen Kuras was extremely helpful also, as she gave me some insight into the DP’s creative thinking. From the producer’s perspective, the DP seems like a film genius that simply just knows what to do with the camera to get a pretty picture. However, after talking to Kuras I now understand the DP’s process better. She opened with discussing the importance of great on-set chemistry and how it can enhance the quality of the overall production. I can only hope to meet, like she has, a group of people I can trust and work with consistently throughout my career.

Another highlight was meeting Paola Mendoza. This was the most interactive workshop and I was surprised to learn how seemingly simple games and group activities can do so much to build trust and communication for a director and her actors or subjects.         

Attending these workshops definitely made me understand how much of a collaborative effort film should be, despite the industry’s competitive undercurrent. Now I see how important it is to have an all inclusive creative team and have people around you who are just as enthused about your project as you are. Though I could not run out and write a book about it all, I feel I am more than equipped to face the challenge ahead of me; especially since I now have peole like Susan Leber and Jeremy Kipp Walker to contact for advice.

Danielle Russell was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. An alumna of Atlanta Metropolitan College, she has an AA in Art and an AS in Teacher Education. Her passion for film started with an idea for  a documentary which led to her enrollment in the Savannah College of Art and Design; where she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Film, specializing in screenwriting. 

Dena Greenbaum at Cinereach HQ by Andrea Fischman

It is truly an honor to be a 2009 Reach Film Fellow.  This past Monday and Tuesday were the kick-off of the program and consisted of a series of meetings and workshops to get us started in the program.

I have gained an invaluable amount of knowledge from my experience so far.  Each advisor had insightful things to share.  Susan Leber explained how important it is for a filmmaker to understand her strengths and weaknesses and build teams that compliment those well.  Jeremy Kipp Walker explained that our short films will be our calling card in the future.  I’m extremely privileged to also have Jeremy as a mentor and very excited to work with him. 

Even though my project, Blues, is a narrative short, when Edet Belzberg spoke about the emotional trajectories in documentaries it gave me new insight about storytelling that I can apply to Blues, like focusing on a character’s connections to his or her world and the other characters in it.  Furthermore,

I will never forget sitting across from Ellen Kuras at dinner and listening to her greatest advice to us, which is, in short, “don’t be a jerk.” Her thoughts on camera coverage, point of view, and blocking helped me a great deal and I now feel equipped to think more dynamically about how my actors will move through space in my film.  I will ask myself questions like Who are we watching?  What is the point of view of the character? Another important thing she explained is that every shot has a beginning, middle, and end, so each shot has a meaning.    

Paola Mendoza conducted an incredible directing the actor workshop.  I am especially thankful that she shared her experience working with child actors in her film Entre Nos (now in post production) with me because it will help me with Blues. I plan to incorporate the improvisation exercises she shared with us in my project.  Finally, Afia Nathaniel discussed the structure and content of our screenplays – challenging us to hone in on what our characters want and making important choices regarding where we enter a character’s story.

I am more excited about “Blues” now following Monday and Tuesday’s workshops and can’t wait for what else is to come!      

Dena Greenbaum is from Woodmere, New York and is currently a junior at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts majoring in Film and Television production with a double minor in Producing and Pre-Business. Her Reach Fellowship Film, Blues, a narrative short, goes into production in November. She will collaborate with Mentor Jeremy Kipp Walker (Half Nelson, Sugar, Maria Full of Grace).