Power Over Polarization

From Marilyn

Writing from the veranda of the Hotel Tides in Asbury Park, NJ –Gil’s fine city and the location of QFest NJ LGBT Film Festival. Spring is starting to pop out in blooming trees and daffodils, just as we are releasing our documentary of 6 years in the making!

We finished the final film in February and soon after given the opportunity to pitch the film to top industry funders at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival; and then, on our first shot into the festival circuit, we were selected to screen at QFest NJ. The upshot is that “From Selma to Stonewall” premieres tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm at Qspot LGBT Community Center in Ocean Grove, NJ. We are honored that some members of the cast and crew as well as major funders are attending. Gil and I will do a Q&A afterwards.  Check out this news story in this week’s Asbury Park’s The Coaster.

There is still time to support the making of the film; we have $13,050 to go on our campaign to raise $50,000!!! EVERY gift counts. Would you please give $10-20 and ask your friends to join in. Our funding needs are real, and we can’t stress enough how important your gifts are. It is astounding how we have made this film happen, through gifts from individuals and the help of 5 loyal, generous foundations. This has been a phenomenal grassroots effort over 6 years. We (you and us) have done this together.

Funds will cover the cost of archival footage and photographs (the 35 seconds of AP newsreel of Bloody Sunday was $1,575  alone), our promotions director’s salary, the new website for the film, final color and sound work, and more. Be a part of this major endeavor and you will receive a download of the theme song written and composed by jazz diva Eden Atwood and performed by Eden and the amazing Todd Hunter!

Thank you so much for being a part of our journey with Truth in Progress. This is only the beginning of the film’s release! We’re awaiting word from other festivals, soon we will start planning regional screenings (soon but no dates set, we’ll wait to hear from festivals first), and in the not-too-distant future, we will have the film available to stream (date is not set). We will keep you posted with an occasional email. If you want daily or bi-weekly like us on facebook and/or twitter and you’ll receive updates more often. 

Please go HERE to see the first 3 minutes of the film and make your donation. We’ve received $1,900 in the last week AND the air miles so I could attend the premiere! People have stopped me at a local brewery tap room as well as in coffee shops to make cash donations. They know what this film can do –CREATE CHANGE, JOIN WITH THOSE MAKING CHANGE, BRING EVERYONE TO THE TABLE TO FIGHT THE POLARIZATION, AND OFFER CONNECTION RATHER THAN HATRED.