Back by popular demand, the food documentary film screening and discussion event Hungry Filmmakers will return to Anthology Film Archives on Tuesday, February 23, 2010. This follows the incredibly enthusiastic response to the inaugural Hungry Filmmakers in December, which featured upcoming films by Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, Mascha and Manfred Poppenk, and was moderated by Anna Lappé. The organizers hope to grow the series and its community of filmmakers and fans with another exciting lineup of screenings.

Hungry Filmmakers aims to showcase the work of filmmakers who are dedicated to furthering sustainable food dialogue in a social, friendly environment that allows for deeper discussion. Offering viewers a sampling rather than a full screening of each, the program includes ten-minute excerpts of each of the featured films. Kerry Trueman, editor of EatingLiberally.org, will moderate a panel discussion with the directors and/or producers following the screenings. Throughout the films in this lineup, our filmmakers explore the dire effects of over fishing and the underlying causes of food-borne illnesses; the lack of fresh food in underserved communities, and the growth of sustainable food production practices that are inspirational to all.

The films:
FRESH Ana Sofia Joanes
MAD COW INVESTIGATOR Nancye Good
WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE? Catherine Gund
THE END OF THE LINE Rupert Murray
FLY ON THE WALL Jenny Montasir

When: February 23, 2010
Anthology Film Archives
32 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Screenings begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.
$15 at door and in advance: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93405 (link on http://hungryfilmmakers.blogspot.com/)

A reception will follow in the theatre lobby with complimentary snacks, Lagunitas beer and wine from T Edwards. BYOC (bring your own cup) strongly encouraged if you wish to have a drink.

Hungry Filmmakers is a not-for-profit event hosted by Shelley Rogers, Cathy Erway, Jimmy’s No. 43 and Tim Lynch. Proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit organization Just Food, which works to promote access of fresh, seasonal, sustainable grown food for all New York City residents.

Jimmy’s No. 43 is a bar and restaurant that is committed to supporting the local arts and sustainable food communities. Awarded “Best Bar with Good Food” by New York Magazine, “Favorite NY Pubs” by Forbes and a “Snail of Approval” for its use of local farm-sourced ingredients from Slow Food NYC, Jimmy’s No. 43 hosts many events and fundraisers, and founded the Good Beer Seal bar community.

Anthology Film Archives is an international center for the preservation, study and exhibition of film and video with a particular focus on American avant-garde cinema.

I’m happy to say that the December evening of “Hungry Filmmakers” was a successful, sold out event! The audience previewed seven film excerpts; then, Anna Lappe facilitated a discussion with the filmmakers and two esteemed guests—WOAO?’s very own character/co-producer Marty Mesh & an advocate from World Hunger Year. Here’s an article by Columbia Journalism Student, Melissa Muller, recapping the whole event and highlighting a little of WOAO?’s backstory: http://greenstandardnyc.com/2009/12/20/documentary-filmmakers-are-hungry-for-change/

We do believe audiences are still hungry, though, because another Hungry Filmmakers event is already scheduled to take place February 23 featuring all new films! The official press release will come out soon, so keep your eyes pealed… And please spread the word that we’re calling for entries for future events: www.hungryfilmmakers.blogspot.com

In the meantime, though, for any of you Northern CA folks—we’ll be screening the film at the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival and the Sonoma Environmental Film Festival this month! Shelley will be attending the screenings and answering questions afterward, so check out the links for the details and please spread the word to your friends in the area!

And for those of you hungry for WOAO? content on the web, we are happy to announce that The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has selected a clip of our footage on its newly launched web site, “Organic. It’s Worth It.” This website is a place where consumers can gain knowledge on how the different aspects within organic production intertwine and the results they produce, so we’re thrilled they wanted our content to be a part of their educational efforts. Be sure to check out the website and our featured clip of Andy Grant: http://www.organicitsworthit.org/experts/grow/andy-grant#bio

As we reflect upon all our progress on the film over the past year, we would like to acknowledge the incredible and generous talent of one of our dear friends and member of our crew who passed away just after Thanksgiving in 2009. Lora Hays served as consulting editor on WOAO? and was Shelley’s mentor throughout the making of the film. We feel blessed that we shared part of Lora’s 99 years on this earth and grateful that she imparted some of her wisdom to help make WOAO? a very special film. Here’s a bit more about her life and work, if you’d like to read about a truly fantastic and inspiring woman: http://www.thevillager.com/villager_345/lorahaysspindel.html

All the best,
WOAO? team

HUNGRY FILMMAKERS is an evening of excerpts from upcoming doc films that take on food and agricultural issues. Shelley is co-curating the event alongside food writer Cathy Erway. We’ve all asked the questions, so now it’s time to see some reactions to the growing discussion of the environment and food, farming and our eating choices. A panel discussion with the attending filmmakers will immediately follow the screenings. Anna Lappé, food activist and author, will keep the discussion rolling and get your questions answered as moderator.

Now, I did mention food? At 9 pm come on over to Jimmy’s No 43 for an after party filled with good people, good discussion and of course good eats. Sample some hors d’oeuvres from locally sustainable purveyors such as Blue Isle Oyster Company, Mama O’s Kimchee, 3-Corner Field Farm, Schoolhouse Kitchen and more. A bar and Restaurant, Jimmy’s No. 43 uses local farm-sourced ingredients from Slow Food NYC and believes in supporting local arts and sustainable food communities.

The films:
What’s “Organic” About Organic? – Shelley Rogers
Big River and Truck Farm – Curt Ellis & Ian Cheney
The Greenhorns – Severine von Tscarner Fleming
Grown in Detroit – Manfred & Mascha Poppenk
Faces from the New Farm – Liz Tylander, Kat Shiffler & Lara Sheets
Untitled Film on Climate Change & Food System – Sara Grady

December 15, 2009
Anthology Film Archives
32 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003
Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Screenings begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.
A panel discussion immediately follow the screenings.

After Party – 9:00 p.m.
Jimmy’s No 43
43 E. 7th Street.
Full dinner menu and craft beer menu will be available.

Advance tickets are now available for $10. Visit Brown Paper Tickets to purchase.

Hungry Filmmakers is a not-for-profit event hosted by Anthology Film Archives and Jimmy’s No. 43. Proceeds gathered will be donated to Just Food, a non profit organization.

Hope to see you there!
-Ursula & the WOAO? team