Louisville Orchestra Film Series – Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Halcyon Daze

ABOUT
Halcyon Daze: The Final Voyage of Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser follows one passenger’s journey from casual interest to full on obsession with Disney’s one of a kind, award winning, yet short-lived interactive theater experience, immersing viewers in a universe of live-action adventure and colorful characters, as well as the profound feelings shared by dedicated cast members and fixated fans. As the Starcruiser potentially docks forever, what will become of this innovative playground that brought superfans together?

First announced in 2017, the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, dubbed the “Halcyon,” opened after multiple delays in 2022. While critics balked at the high sticker price, tepid marketing campaign, and hectic sample schedules, reviews from the fake spaceship’s first media voyage called it “like living inside a video game” and praised its “immersion to the extreme.” As passengers found themselves swept up in the immersive two day, two night attraction, a fan base grew, creating a fervent community of repeat cruisers, character fan clubs, and Facebook voyage groups. Whether or not the Starcruiser worked as a business, it transformed casual Star Wars fans like Carrie into superfans of the Halcyon.

To Mail a Check Donation
Please write the check out to “Louisville Film Society” with “Halcyon Daze” in the memo line and mail it to the following address:

LFS Attention: FSP
PO Box 6088
Louisville, KY 40206

To directly support this worthwhile project, you can make your tax-deductible donation – to the extent permitted by law – using this page. Donations go directly to the production and promotion of this film.

CARRIE COAPLEN, DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Dr. Coaplen is a native Louisvillian, and an experienced academic and creative writer who has earned three academic degrees: English BA, University of Louisville; Creative Writing MFA, George Mason University; Rhetoric and Composition, PhD, University of Louisville. She holds expertise in nonfiction narratives and researched composition with over twenty years of experience as an academic, writer, instructional designer, coordinator of online learning, facilitator, project manager, faculty developer, and dual credit college teacher.

CARLY KOCUREK, PRODUCER/LEAD RESEARCHER
Carly Kocurek researches games and play and has more than 15 years of experience as an interviewer. She has published two books, Coin-Operated Americans (Minnesota, 2015) and Brenda Laurel (Bloomsbury, 2017). While serving as Professor of Digital Humanities and Media Studies at Illinois Tech, she also serves on the research, interpretation, and education board of the Strong Museum of Play. She’s an award-winning game designer and has appeared as an on-screen expert for InsertCoin (2020) and The Toys That BuiltAmerica (The History Channel).

BEN DAUGHTREY, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Mr. Daughtrey is a multi-talented show business veteran whose accomplishments include producing and editing Official Sundance Selection feature film 100 Proof, three Emmy nominations for editing (PBS documentary If I Can’t Do It, the 2002 Academy Awards, and Extreme Makeover- Home Edition), producing, directing and editing a series of post-Katrina documentaries for Arnold Advertising and Southern Comfort entitled New Orleans Stories, and serving as executive producer on the docu-series Bordertown Laredo for the A&E Network, and Breaking Point for Discovery I.D. The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia, a 2009 film Daughtrey edited, was an official selection at multiple film festivals including Tribeca and the L.A.Film Fest. It is now widely viewed on Showtime, Netflix and other media outlets. Most recently he edited the documentary film Scandalous for CNN and Magnolia Pictures, and Telemarketers for HBO, Elra, and Roughhouse Pictures.

KENZIE GREER, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY/EDITOR
Kenzie is a documentary filmmaker based in Louisville, KY who graduated from University of Alabama with a degree in anthropology and filmmaking. She has been involved in more than 30+ films, and participated in multiple film fellowships.Kenzie was awarded the 2018 Undergraduate Media StudiesStudent Award and worked with the National HolocaustMuseum, HGTV, Hallmark, GE Appliances, and a multitude ofnon-profits. Professionally Ms. Greer is known for her cinematography on Autophagia and Alex.

JONATHAN HAWPE, PRODUCER/WRITER
Jonathan is a writer/artist and long time book and music retail worker who also multi-tasks on film productions for Everything Cinema Productions. He’s worked in the film and music industries in Los Angeles, writing screenplay coverage and producing music licensing pitches. Jonathan has also published film reviews,cultural criticism, and satirical cartoons, as well as done developmental editing for novel manuscripts, and various illustration and design projects.

Where: Whitney Hall

Date: Sat, Feb 17th

Time: 7:00PM – 9:30PM EST

Reminder:

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All Illusions Must Be Broken

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ABOUT THE FILM
All Illusions Must Be Broken weaves a compelling tale inspired by the insights of cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Denial of Death. Through Becker’s discerning lens, the film addresses the profound shifts occurring as children’s formative years are increasingly dominated by digital and artificial realms, a departure from the natural world’s authentic beauty. This exploration highlights our growing tendencies towards self-deception.

Intertwining Becker’s profound thoughts, modern views on screen’s pervasive influence, and vignettes of a boy’s life from infancy to teen years, this narrative serves as both an insightful essay and an intimate verité study.

A collaboration by acclaimed filmmakers Laura Dunn & Jef Sewell and backed by Executive Producers Terrence Malick and Robert Redford, All Illusions Must Be Broken is the finale of a trilogy that delves into the tension between nature and our evolving culture, following The Unforeseen (2007) and Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry (2017).

To Mail a Check Donation
To support this thought-provoking project, please pen down your check to “Louisville Film Society” and mention All Illusions Must Be Broken in the memo segment. Forward your contributions to:

LFS Attention: FSP
PO Box 6088
Louisville, KY 40206

To extend your unwavering support directly, please make your tax-deductible donation on this page – in accordance with the permissible law. All donations will be channeled directly to the film’s production and its subsequent promotion.

Laura Dunn – Director & Jef Sewell – Co-Director & Producer
Venturing deep into the intricate web of human emotions and the expansive universe of our existence, this documentary stands as a testament to the extraordinary capability of cinema to evoke profound reflections. Captured through the lens of Laura Dunn and Jef Sewell, All Illusions Must Be Broken aims to stand as an enduring beacon, guiding the viewer towards a deeper understanding of humanity, nature, and the delicate balance that connects the two.

499 Days

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ABOUT
“499 Days” chronicles the poignant journey of Kyler, a spirited young boy from Louisville, KY, diagnosed with DIPG – an aggressive and rare pediatric brainstem cancer with no known survivors. The film captures the essence of Kyler’s resilience, vitality, and spirit in the 499 days from his initial diagnosis until just days shy of his 10th birthday, when he tragically passed away.

Through intimate glimpses into Kyler’s life, from his vibrant early days to his courageous battle with DIPG, the documentary explores the profound legacy he left and the deep impact he made on those fortunate enough to know him. We travel with Kyler, from the heart of Louisville to the scenic hills of San Francisco, the sun-kissed beaches of Florida, and along the shores of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, witnessing moments of immense hope, love, fear, confusion, and ultimately, strength.

To Mail a Check Donation
Please write the check out to “Louisville Film Society” with “499 Days” in the memo line and mail it to the following address:

LFS Attention: FSP
PO Box 6088
Louisville, KY 40206

Jamie Buckner – Director & Producer
This documentary serves as a lens into the world of a tight-knit community navigating the complexities of a heart-wrenching diagnosis, compounded by the sudden challenges of a global pandemic and a recently complicated family dynamic. At its heart, “499 Days” reveals a story of resilience, courage, and the indomitable human spirit. Through Kyler’s lens, we discover a narrative where even amidst the darkest moments, the power of unity, humor, and hope shine the brightest. Directed and produced by Jamie Buckner, this film aims to be the resource Kyler’s mother, Kristen, wishes she had during those challenging times – a beacon of hope, understanding, and comfort for families enduring similar journeys.

Fatherless

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Director: William M. Crouch
Fatherless is a sci-fi narrative short to be co-produced by LT4 Productions, LLC and MisterDuke Productions, LLC, with fiscal sponsorship from the Louisville Film Society. The film tells the story of a young physicist who strives to develop time travel to fix his difficult childhood. As he realizes that his theory may be more practical than he originally believed, he must choose between fixing his own past and changing the lives of others.

The dramatic struggle of Fatherless focuses on the epidemic of fatherlessness in America. 25 million children grow up without the influence of a paternal father, and still more function with a father who is only physically present but emotionally distant. Dr. John Sowers notes in his book, Fatherless Generation: Reclaiming the Story, “Fatherlessness has now become the norm. … A story of grief and pain, of loneliness and rejection. A story that desperately needs to be heard.” Fatherless grants that story the opportunity to be heard. Moreover, it opens conversation to discuss the responsibility of our generation to finally end this trend. As demonstrated in the film, this can only be accomplished through strong mentoring of the fatherless and a drive within our generation to be the fathers we wish we had.

For more information on the production or the talented team bringing it to life, please visit the film’s website at www.LT4Films.com/Fatherless

If The Trees Heard Us

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ABOUT
If The Trees Heard Us, written and directed by Noah Griffin.

Lost within a vast, barren landscape, an estranged brother and sister embark on a journey searching for their childhood home.

As the follow-up to The Silence Between, our small, talented crew is so excited to work together again. This time, we traveled from the dense forests of Tennessee to the boundless plains of North Dakota to capture this stunningly picturesque narrative on film.

To directly support our team, contribute on this page for a tax-deductible donation or visit our GoFundMe page! All donations go towards festival fees and distribution materials so we can share If the Trees Heard Us with everyone. For more info on the project, check out our website and sign up for our email updates list!

To Mail a Check Donation
Please write the check out to “Louisville Film Society” with “If The Trees Heard Us” in the memo line and mail it to the following address:

LFS Attention: FSP
PO Box 6088
Louisville, KY 40206

Narrative Short Film
📍North Dakota

Filmmakers
Noah Griffin, Christian Straub, Christi Zimmerman, Jack Henson, Mikale Youravich, Katherine Frantz, Chris Lambert, Chad Walden, James Carter, Elisabeth Sandahl, Lucas Ferrell

Starring
Julie Bowles, Noah Griffin

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is my donation tax-deductible?

IF THE TREES HEARD US is a fiscally sponsored project of Louisville Film Society, a 501(c)(3) charity. Contributions made payable to Louisville Film Society for the purposes of IF THE TREES HEARD US are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. If you receive a reward in exchange for your donation, the fair market value of that reward will reduce the tax-deductible portion of your donation. The value of the reward you receive will be included in your donation receipt.

Will I be charged right away for my donation?

Yes. Louisville Film Society will immediately charge the card entered at the time your donation is made.

What personal information will be shared publicly or with the fundraiser?

If you would like to remain anonymous, please indicate that when completing your payment info. Fundraisers will have access to your name and contact information unless you choose to remain anonymous to the fundraiser as well.

KY Place

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KY Place is an independently produced web series that encourages conversations about issues relevant to Kentucky, without shying from taboos. It asks questions and seeks answers while understanding that sometimes there are none.

A place well known for bourbon, coal, fried chicken, and horse racing, the Bluegrass State has become a folksy centerpiece on the national stage that’s commonly misunderstood. Using the shareable nature of the web series format, this series seeks to give voice to those who have been historically marginalized and show that this state – like many places around the world – is complex, diverse, and beautiful.

In just four episodes, we spoke with sixteen individuals who brought their experiences, ideas, and solutions to the table; recognizing both the traditions that bring us together and the obstacles that hold us back.

As a proof of concept, KY Place demonstrates how locally-produced media could function as a catalyst for open discussions—for Kentuckians and for people facing similar challenges elsewhere.

Looking ahead, the future of this series will go where Kentucky goes. Progress starts on the community level, and communities grow when neighbors talk to one another. Consider donating to KY Place and help keep the conversation going.

Land Lord

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ABOUT
When a bounty hunter moves into an aging apartment complex, she finds herself forced to protect an orphaned boy from the vampire landlord.

Mixing filmmaking styles from neo-realist dramas like Fish Tank and horror staples like The Thing, Land Lord is a feature length film with a new take on the vampire and relevant social commentary bite.

THE TEAM
Remington Smith – Director, Producer, Writer
Ryan Darbonne – Associate Producer
Abi Van Andel – Associate Producer
Geoff Storts – Cinematographer

Narrative Feature Film
📍Louisville, KY

To Mail a Check Donation
Please write the check out to “Louisville Film Society” with “Land Lord” in the memo line and mail it to the following address:

LFS Attention: FSP
PO Box 6088
Louisville, KY 40206

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is my donation tax-deductible?

LAND LORD is a fiscally sponsored project of Louisville Film Society, a 501(c)(3) charity. Contributions made payable to Louisville Film Society for the purposes of LAND LORD are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. If you receive a reward in exchange for your donation, the fair market value of that reward will reduce the tax-deductible portion of your donation. The value of the reward you receive will be included in your donation receipt.

Will I be charged right away for my donation?

Yes. Louisville Film Society will immediately charge the card entered at the time your donation is made.

What personal information will be shared publicly or with the fundraiser?

Look & See

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LOOK & SEE IS A CINEMATIC PORTRAIT OF THE CHANGING LANDSCAPES AND SHIFTING VALUES OF RURAL AMERICA IN THE ERA OF INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE, AS SEEN THROUGH THE MIND’S EYE OF WENDELL BERRY.

LOOK & SEE revolves around the divergent stories of several residents of Henry County, Kentucky who each face difficult choices that will dramatically reshape their relationship with the land and their community.

In 1965, Wendell Berry returned home to Henry County, where he bought a small farm house and began a life of farming, writing and teaching. This lifelong relationship with the land and community would come to form the core of his prolific writings. A half century later Henry County, like many rural communities across America, has become a place of quiet ideological struggle. In the span of a generation, the agrarian virtues of simplicity, land stewardship, sustainable farming, local economies and rootedness to place have been replaced by a capital-intensive model of industrial agriculture characterized by machine labor, chemical fertilizers, soil erosion and debt – all of which have frayed the fabric of rural communities. Writing from a long wooden desk beneath a forty-paned window, Berry has watched this struggle unfold, becoming one its most passionate and eloquent voices in defense of agrarian life.

Filmed across four seasons in the farming cycle, LOOK & SEE blends observational scenes of farming life, interviews with farmers and community members with evocative, carefully framed shots of the surrounding landscape. Thus, in the spirit of Berry’s agrarian philosophy, Henry County itself will emerge as a character in the film – a place and a landscape that is deeply interdependent with the people that inhabit it.

For more information, please visit https://www.lookandseefilm.com

Movers & Shapers

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Director: Timothy Morton
A striking harmony occurs between a punk, a preacher, a queer activist, a confederate, a musicologist, a mennonite, and a farmer in this experiential documentary. Movers & Shapers chronicles the contradictory and connected lives of individuals furthering America’s original folk music tradition, Shape-Note Singing.

In a series of character portraits, Movers & Shapers spans over a dozen states and Canada to glimpse into disparate facets of modern culture. A flipped tractor, dumpster diving, tarot card reading, chemotherapy, an underwhelming street performance, hearing loss, a fatal car wreck, and burnt hamburgers are elements comprising the personal lives of our respective protagonists.

The unconstrained and rough-hewn sound of shape-note singing punctuates the interwoven vignettes evoking an emotional rawness. The stark poetry looms. “…And am I born to die…”, “…you are hast’ning on to death’s dark gloomy shade…”, “…your joys on earth will soon be gone…”, “…where nature all in ruin lies.”

My Life Matters Too

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FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO DONATE TO THIS PROJECT, PLEASE CONTACT PAT MCGEE.
LFS is a 501c3 non profit, and IRS rules prohibit such organizations from accepting contributions that could be viewed as supporting an active political candidate (regardless of party).

For more information on how to support the film, please contact Pat McGee at pat@patmcgeepictures.com.

No Regrets

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ABOUT
John Y Brown Jr. – Businessman, Celebrity Governor, Professional basketball owner, Gambler, Father – had it all.

He turned Kentucky Fried Chicken into the hottest fast food franchise in the world, became a multimillionaire, married Miss America, and was elected the Governor of Kentucky. He owned three pro basketball teams, saved the Democratic Party, and started numerous chain restaurant businesses, including Ollie’s Trolley and Kenny Rogers Roasters. He owned a tennis club in Miami with Warren Beatty, and his best friend was Muhammad Ali.

He advised Donald Trump to run for president. He lost $1.3 million in one night of gambling. His friend and business associate was arrested and convicted of drug trafficking after an ex-cop parachuted to his death with $75,000,000 strapped to his body. He divorced three times, invested with Bernie Madoff, gambled away his fortune, and now shares a condo in Lexington with his former masseuse.

He has no regrets.

Documentary Feature Film
📍Louisville, KY

Filmmakers
Shane Taylor, Ben Daughtrey, Robert Womack

To Mail a Check Donation
Please write the check out to “Louisville Film Society” with “No Regrets” in the memo line and mail it to the following address:

LFS Attention: FSP
PO Box 6088
Louisville, KY 40206

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is my donation tax-deductible?

NO REGRETS is a fiscally sponsored project of Louisville Film Society, a 501(c)(3) charity. Contributions made payable to Louisville Film Society for the purposes of NO REGRETS are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. If you receive a reward in exchange for your donation, the fair market value of that reward will reduce the tax-deductible portion of your donation. The value of the reward you receive will be included in your donation receipt.

Will I be charged right away for my donation?

Yes. Louisville Film Society will immediately charge the card entered at the time your donation is made.

What personal information will be shared publicly or with the fundraiser?

Reduction

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REDUCTION is a documentary feature about breasts and how they fit into a larger conversation about women’s health and rights.

The average size of the female breast is increasing, yet breast reduction surgery remains a procedure held in low regard. The documentary examines this seldom discussed surgery by following a group of women from diverse backgrounds, who all share the same struggle: their breast size negatively impacts their quality of life. REDUCTION explores the cultural context, medical science, and social stigma surrounding women’s breasts, as well as the life-changing decision of undergoing breast reduction surgery.

For more information, please visit www.reductionfilm.com

Thank you so much for your contribution!

River City Drumbeat

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Directors: Marlon Johnson & Anne Flatté
River City Drumbeat (Documentary, 95 minutes) is a multigenerational story of music, love, and legacies set in the American South. Edward “Nardie” White devoted his life to leading the African-American drum corps he co-founded with Zambia Nkrumah in Louisville, Kentucky three decades ago. Together they inspired youth from their West Louisville neighborhood to thrive by connecting them with the art and cultural traditions of their African ancestors. Now Albert Shumake, whose destiny was shaped by the drumline, must take up the mantle for the next generation. Meanwhile, student drummers Imani, Jailen, and Emily navigate adolescence and life changes. River City Drumbeat follows this creative community of mentors, parents, and youth making their way in a world where systemic forces raise obstacles to fulfilling their dreams.

Our film team has been working on this labor of love for nearly four years, and we are thrilled to be at this stage of the project. The World Premiere screenings at the DOC NYC Film Festival in Manhattan in November 2019 generated enthusiastic momentum, and we are currently on our festival run, with screenings announced in Miami, Austin, and Louisville and several more scheduled for 2020.

We are now embarking on the distribution, outreach and audience engagement phase, and we’re committed to the great potential of this independent film to engage and impact audiences in Louisville and at the national level with community and educational screenings. We have developed an outreach and impact proposal, and are seeking support and partners for this campaign to connect the film to audiences in 2020 and beyond.

The mission of our film’s engagement campaign is to inspire others to understand the importance of arts education for all children. River City Drumbeat can generate increased public awareness around this issue by reaching the widest possible audience. The film can serve as affirmation nationwide for people who already live in arts and music communities like that of West Louisville, and as a testament to local and national policymakers who still have more to learn about the value of arts and music education. River City Drumbeat can be employed as a filmic case study for prioritizing art/music education and cultural connection in marginalized communities, and be of use to mentors, educators, parents and youth and the organizations that serve them.

Campaign Goals

Deepen our nation’s understanding of the importance of arts and music education, mentorship, and afterschool programs
Connect with stakeholders—community partners, educators, and youth service providers at the local and national level—who can use the film as part of their work
Involve film in local and national conversations about arts and music education, youth development, education, funding, African-American youth
Inspire youth and adults to give time to the young people around them, and cultivate cultural connection and art in their lives

Visit www.rivercitydrumbeatmovie.com for more information about the film. Our full Outreach and Impact Proposal is available upon request. Please support our work with a donation to our outreach and impact campaign.

Thank you for donating!

Your tax-deductible contribution will support streaming the film to individuals, high schools, libraries, colleges, universities, and community organizations nationwide. It will also support virtual Zoom Q&A conversations with film participants and filmmakers. Thank you!

Statues

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Race… white privilege… who or what determines the truth…what do communities choose as symbols? These are the questions examined in Statues, another in the series written and produced by Morgan Atkinson that examines his hometown of Louisville. This hour-long documentary considers America’s current state of intense polarization through the lens of seven public meetings that took place in Louisville between 2017-2019. (In addition to the meetings and their aftermath, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well the extensive unrest sparked by police violence is considered).

The purpose of the meetings was to determine what is appropriate public art for the community. Though the meetings took place throughout Louisville ultimately every meeting returned to the question of what to do about the statue of General John B. Castleman standing in the Cherokee Triangle neighborhood. Is the statue a Jim Crow era tribute to a racist traitor or a fitting salute to a man who made significant contributions to the community? As the “Castleman question” is examined it becomes obvious this is not your standard “Lost Cause” issue. The tension between acknowledging/embracing new cultural norms and determining what is an accurate historical record is palpable. Statues doesn’t choose a side but allows the various points of view to be presented. Like the classic film “Rashomon” it becomes obvious that one person’s sense of the truth does not always resonate or correspond with others. In the end it is up to the viewer to decide in this compelling portrait of a community grappling with many of the issues that are dividing our country.

Still Perfect

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ABOUT
Still Perfect is a compelling story about the tragedy that befalls a young, single mother and forces her to make a terrible choice – should she allow her dying baby’s organs to save the life of another child?

Inspired by real events covered in the 2012 short documentary Grief and a Giving Heart, Still Perfect tells the story of Bethan Parry, the devastating murder of her 9-month-old daughter, and the family’s attempts to heal through the selfless gift of organ donation.

The screenplay for Still Perfect won awards for dramatic writing at both the Cannes Screenplay Competition and the American Movie Awards, proving this project’s worth in the creative marketplace. The story is bold, the characters will force viewers to rethink stereotypes, and the message is one that will linger long after you leave the theater or turn off your television.

To Mail a Check Donation
Please write the check out to “Louisville Film Society” with “Still Perfect” in the memo line and mail it to the following address:

LFS Attention: FSP
PO Box 6088
Louisville, KY 40206

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is my donation tax-deductible?

STILL PERFECT is a fiscally sponsored project of Louisville Film Society, a 501(c)(3) charity. Contributions made payable to Louisville Film Society for the purposes of STILL PERFECT are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. If you receive a reward in exchange for your donation, the fair market value of that reward will reduce the tax-deductible portion of your donation. The value of the reward you receive will be included in your donation receipt.

Will I be charged right away for my donation?

Yes. Louisville Film Society will immediately charge the card entered at the time your donation is made.

What personal information will be shared publicly or with the fundraiser?

The Butterfly Trees

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ABOUT
The Butterfly Trees is a documentary feature filmed over the course of 8 years with footage shot across Canada, the United States and Mexico. This film has been made possible with the generous support of over one hundred people from across the continent.

Monarch butterflies – their beauty captivates us. We watch them fly from flower to flower, and our hearts flutter with them. They are symbols of strength, courage, and hope. Aside from being wonders in and of themselves, monarch butterflies remind us that everything in life is a miracle, and that we are all strands in the web.

The Butterfly Trees is a documentary feature film that captures the transcontinental journey of the eastern monarch butterflies on their epic migration from the forested shores of Southern Canada to the rare and ancient oyamel fir trees of Central Mexico.

Part science, part adventure, and part love story, the film is a captivating reflection on the profound mysteries of the natural world and the ties that irrevocably connect us all. The story weaves together a wondrous tapestry of stunning visuals, passion for discovery, and the eclectic mix of the people for whom these butterflies have become a life-long obsession.

Plants, trees, landforms, water, celestial bodies, weather, and even the seasons all become supporting characters that echo the planet’s ancient rhythms and remind us of the larger and mysterious world of which we are a part.

Filled with allegory and poetic contemplations, The Butterfly Trees brings to the screen a universal story of life and the search for legacy and meaning by using the monarch migration as a poignant metaphor that embodies hope, transformation and connections that transcend borders.

The monarch butterfly is emblematic of our fragile and complex ecology. But the monarch is also a potent symbol for our individual life’s journey, intergenerational connection, and the quest for finding our place in this world.

Earn Your Wings!
All donations to The Butterfly Trees documentary are fully tax-deductible. The Louisville Film Society is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. All donations will receive a charitable acknowledgement receipt for tax purposes.

Donors who contribute $250 or more will be listed in the end credits of the film. Do please let us know how you want your name to be listed. For specific questions about this film project, please email: thebutterflytrees@gmail.com

For more information about the film, please visit http://www.butterflytrees.com

Thank you kindly for your contribution!

Any and all amounts are meaningful & helpful!

Beauty Mark

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BEAUTY MARK is a feature film by award-winning filmmaker Harris Doran which tells the story of Angie, a young mother living in a poverty-stricken area of Louisville, when she finds out the house her family is living in is condemned. Out of options, she must get the money from the only person she knows with any — the man who abused her as a child.

The film is inspired by some true events and a portion of the proceeds will go to FAMILY & CHILDREN’S PLACE, a Louisville based organization working to stop and prevent child abuse.

Starring ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’s Catherine Curtin, Daytime Emmy award winner Eric Nelsen, SAVED BY THE BELL’s Dennis Haskins (Mr. Belding), and rising starlet Auden Thornton.

Produced by Louisville native Ashley Kate Adams, Harris Doran, Penny Edmiston, Jane Kelly Kosek, and Independent Spirit award winner Gill Holland.

BEAUTY MARK is a fiscally sponsored project of the Louisville Film Society (LFS), 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization. Contributions in support of BEAUTY MARK are payable to LFS and are tax deductible as allowed by law.

FILM & TELEVISION EDITOR

Doug Abel

Doug Abel, ACE, BFE, is an award-winning film and television editor based in NYC and Louisville. His remarkable credits include Academy Award-winning documentaries like "The Fog of War" and "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster," as well as notable shows like "30 Rock" and "Louie." With an unparalleled talent for shaping narratives, Doug continues to leave a lasting impact on the world of visual storytelling.

FILM COMMISSIONER, ACTOR, VO ARTIST, MEDIA PRODUCER

Timothy Bates

Timothy Bates,serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Kentucky Film Association and holds the prestigious role of Film Commissioner, further shaping and enriching Kentucky's vibrant film landscape. He boasts a distinguished career with contributions to popular TV shows and feature films, including Friends (NBC), Freaky Friday, and more. Notably, he played a key role in conceiving, producing, and promoting the acclaimed movie "Sixth Man - Blue Sanity," featured on Amazon, Netflix, and iTunes. Timothy's versatile talents extend to voice work in regional ads and negotiating digital distribution.

COMPOSER,SINGER, SONGWRITER

Ben Sollee

Ben Sollee is a composer with over 20 years of experience in the film and television industry (even though he's still only in his 30s). You might have heard his music on such TV Shows as WEEDS or PARENTHOOD, Robin Wright's 2021 directorial debut film LAND, or even at the beginning and end of the Kentucky Call Sheet podcast (Ben wrote and performed our podcast's theme!). Ben is an artist actively blurring the lines between music, tech, and activism and he was also born and raised in Lexington, KY.

ACTOR, WRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER

Justin Giddings

Justin Giddings is an actor, writer, director, and producer with over 36 credits. You may have seen him acting on NASHVILLE or SHAMELESS or maybe you’ve seen him on the internet as THE KICKSTARTER GUY — where Justin, the crowdfunding guru that he is, has managed to help his clients raise over $9 million dollars for their independently financed film and television projects. Justin also calls Kentucky his home!