Beyond New Beginnings
The Beyond New Beginnings Program supports and nurtures young moms and their children as they gain independence in safe, stable homes while being actively involved in the New Beginnings High School Program, post-secondary education and/or employment by empowering them to become healthy, engaged, members of a community. This documentary will highlight the strengths of the program, aspirations for the future and highlight the success stories of this community funded program. Through personal interviews and footage from inside the everyday activities of the residents the story will unfold.
Give a book, take a book, return a book. A wooden box filled with books has become the seed that has ignited an international movement. The simple idea of placing a small wooden structure filled with books to share with anyone who happens by is the brainchild of Wisconsinites, Rick Brooks and Todd Bol. The Little Free Library idea quickly moved from concept to reality thanks to the thousands of stewards throughout the world. Little did they know the impact their idea would have on individuals, neighborhoods and the international community.
Festivals:
Official Selection: Jarkata International Film Festival, Jarkarta, Indonesia
Official Selection: Big Water Film Festival
Official Selection: Frozen River Film Festival
Life along the western banks of the Mississippi river in Monticello is relatively quiet in the summertime. But after the ponds and lakes freeze in November of December, a chorus of trumpeting emanates from Sheila Lawrence’s back yard. For more than 20 years, Sheila Lawrence has been feeding the trumpeters that winter along the warm waters of the Mississippi River in Monticello, Minnesota. Her efforts are responsible for the remarkable resurgence of the swan population to astounding numbers. Her strength, fortitude and sheer adoration of nature has resulted in the largest single gathering of trumpeter swans in the world.
Festivals:
Official Selection, Filmanthropist Film Festival
Official Selection, Square Lake Film Festival
Official Selection, Big Water Film Festival,
Official Selection, Fly Way Film Festival
Official Selection, Shamrock Film Festival
This is poignant memoir of four WWII veterans from Delano, Minnesota. Their participation in the war left an indelible mark on their lives. The emotional impact of their experiences is evident as they share their war stories and life lessons through personal accounts and archival footage. The threads of their story weave together a common sentimental felt by many men who served during this era. This project as a Delano community collaborative, filmed by 5th grade students, directed and edited by Gwen Briesemeister.
Awards and Festivals:
*Honorable Mention, Greatest Generation Moving Pictures Film Festival, Minnesota Historical Society
*Honorable Mention, Shamrock Film Festival
Official Selection: Big Water Film Festival
This documentary highlights the life of Maynard Nordquist. Blind from birth, Maynard's dogged determination to overcome his disability led him down paths few have traveled. From carpenter to electrician, musician to mayor, Maynard's extraordinary tale is told.
Festivals
Official Selection: Shamrock Film Festival, Big Water Film Festival
Minnesota History Center: Greatest Generation Film Festival
Ted May, a former high school principal, has been instrumental in creating a senior citizen writing group in Delano, Minnesota. Through Ted’s encouragement and gentle inspiration the group has developed the confidence to share their writing,not only in their small group but also to the larger community The group, now in it’s 7th year, has published a collection of stories and poems which have become a community treasure and a family legacy.
"The Bear" standing along Highway 25 in Wright County, Minnesota has become an icon for the hundreds of people that have driven by it over the past 19 years. A new outfit dons the carved 9 foot bear each month, signaling the changing seasons and approaching holidays. Owned by the Buffalo Dental Group, the bear has become a symbol of pride for the dental office as well as the surrounding neighborhod. This documentary provides a back door glimpse at this ritual.
Festivals:
Official Selection, Big Water Film Festival
Official Selection, Shamrock Film Festival
Official Selection, Square Lake Film Festival
Official Selection, Minneapolis Underground Film Festival
A short film about a young girl's dream to help find a cure for cancer through her music.
By obtaining false papers in order to disguise her true identity, Jewish Holocaust survivor Sabina Zimering was able to escape occupied Poland and survive when so many others perished. Sabina shares her story of fear, courage, friendship and hatred while hiding in the open during World War II.
Festivals:
Official Selection: Big Water Film Festival
Minnesota History Center Greatest Generation Film Festival