THE IMPACT AT THE INTERSECTION — From Selma to Stonewall

Dear From Selma to Stonewall Community:

WE HAVE SO MUCH GOOD NEWS TO SHARE! Thanks to YOU, Truth In Progress has hurdled over some huge milestones, which are propelling us into a host of opportunities, even before we’ve had a chance to do any significant promotions! Clearly, From Selma to Stonewall is relevant, timely, and exciting interest across the country. This is the moment we’ve been working toward.

MILESTONES THIS SPRING:

· We finished the film in February and hit the ground running.

· We held a world premiere at QFest LGBT Film Festival in Ocean Grove, NJ.

· We’ve scheduled a Montana premiere at the Myrna Loy Center in Helena on May 19.

· We were just selected as a semi-finalist for the San Francisco Black Film Festival XVIII.

AND MORE! (See details below.)

When we set our goal last October to raise a total of $50,000, we targeted this time period to raise $15,000 to launch the film effectively. With all the attention that the film is getting we need to raise those funds sooner than we thought, right now, in fact —$5,000 of it in the next 2 weeks—to stay on schedule. Every dollar that goes beyond the $15,000 will better position us for more and more outreach.

Here’s why it’s having such an immediate impact. The film is powerful. The images are stirring, the issues couldn’t be more timely, the voices are diverse and engaging, and (spoiler alert) we’re still hopeful by the end even though we’re not nearly “there” yet. The point of the film is to get people talking AND acting, to get everyone to the table. That table may be all white or all black, religious or non-religious, intersex or transgender or cisgender, or combinations of diversity that we never imagined coming together. THIS impact is what you are supporting with your contribution.

Your gift of $10 to $1,000 right now is strategically important. We need to pay for a part-time promotions director, engage a press liaison, pay festival submission fees ($30 to $90 per submission), reimburse our graphic artist for our DVD and promotions art, and fund a shorter version of the 56-minute film.

Some of our partners have donated airline miles. Some have donated time, skills, expertise, and clerical help. Almost everyone involved in this project has reduced their rates, agreed to lower pay, encouraged friends to contribute, and donated back services or time. That’s how passionate they are about this film.

Please join us today with a gift if you can. Every single gift is important. We got this far together, and together we will fund this next chapter. And remember: Each donor will receive a link to download our inspiring, moving theme song, written and composed by jazz vocalist Eden Atwood and recorded by Eden and Todd Hunter.

Here are some of the amazing things that are happening:

· Our world premiere was serendipitously held in Gil’s home area at the QFest New Jersey LGBT Film Festival in Ocean Grove. The crowd filled the main screening room and flowed into the next room. It was standing room only during the Q&A. Cast members Dr. Tommie Lee Watkins and Cathy Renna and crew Monica Wise and Roberto Trejo were also present. Tommie blew us away with his comments.

· The Montana premiere is coming to our home base of Helena, MT. We will have a showing, Q&A with Gil and Marilyn, and a reception at the Myrna Loy Center, May 19th at 7 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance/$12 at the door. www.myrnaloycenter.com

· We have a brand new 35-minute cut of the film to make the length conducive for showing at special events.

· Some great people at Union Theological Seminary of New York City and the Center on African-American Religion, Sexual Politics and Social Justice at Columbia University are co-sponsoring a film screening and panel in James Chapel on June 2nd, from 6:30-8:00 pm. We will screen the new 35-minute film at this event. The panel will be discussing, “If we’re not there yet, how do we get there and how do we get there together?” The event is free and open to the public.

· We’ve brought on board Cathy Renna of Target Cue to handle press relations for the Union event and other major cities. Her work has already greatly increased exposure for the film.

· Our film website, www.fromselmatostonewall.com will soon be up and running. This will streamline all your needs for bookings, screenings, updates, and links to how you can take action.

· We continue to enter film festivals and wait to hear back from them.

· Lastly, we have three other screenings during Pride month:

Eastern PA Annual Conference & Lancaster Pride, June 16 and 17.
Big Sky Pride, Great Falls, MT, June 18, 2 pm, Great Falls Public Library.
Northern Michigan Pride, Traverse City, MI, June 19.

Other events in the making are in D.C., Boston, Dallas, New York City (again), and North Carolina. All of these event requests are coming in without us even having a chance to do any promotions. We're ahead of schedule and your financial support will go a long way in getting the film and message out there!

Please click here to make a donation by credit or debit card or mail a check to Truth in Progress, 1039 Butte Ave, Helena, MT 59601. If you want your donation to be tax-deductible make your check out to the Myrna Loy Center (this is our NEW 501c3 fiscal agent). If you don’t need a tax deduction, please make it out to Truth in Progress.

Thank you for going on this journey with us. We may not be there yet—but we will get there—together.

~ Marilyn and Gil