2011 Documentary Film Fund Winner
An American Promise
An American Promise
Documentary Film Grant 2011 winner
An American Promise
Dir. Joseph Brewster and Michèle Stephenson
Awarded $25,000 for Post production 2011
Link: www.americanpromisedoc.com/home.html
THE FILM
In 1999, filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson began documenting the experiences of two African American boys—their son and his best friend—as they started kindergarten at the prestigious, private, predominantly white Dalton School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, just as the school began to actively cultivate a diverse student body. This unprecedented longitudinal documentary reveals the life-changing experiences of the boys and their families as they navigate the challenges of academic achievement further complicated by issues of race and class.
THE FILMMAKERS
Joe Brewster's, thought provoking narrative films and documentaries have challenged and inspired audiences across the globe and along the way garnered awards both domestically and internationally. His 1996 debut, The Keeper was screened at Toronto, Sundance and Cannes Film Festival and received a Spirit Award nomination. His work, distributed internationally on cable and in theatrical venues, has received numerous awards for his direction and production.
Michèle Stephenson, Producer/Director uses her international experience as a human rights attorney to tackle stories on communities of color and human rights. An early pioneer in the Web 2.0 revolution, Stephenson used video and the internet to structure human rights campaigns and train people from across the globe in video internet advocacy. Her work has appeared on PBS, Showtime, MTV and other outlets.
Stephenson’s honors include: Best Film Directed by a Woman of Color, ADFF; Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary, ABFF; Diversity Award, SilverDocs International Documentary Film Festival; and the Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Film and Digital Media.
An American Promise
Dir. Joseph Brewster and Michèle Stephenson
Awarded $25,000 for Post production 2011
Link: www.americanpromisedoc.com/home.html
THE FILM
In 1999, filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson began documenting the experiences of two African American boys—their son and his best friend—as they started kindergarten at the prestigious, private, predominantly white Dalton School on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, just as the school began to actively cultivate a diverse student body. This unprecedented longitudinal documentary reveals the life-changing experiences of the boys and their families as they navigate the challenges of academic achievement further complicated by issues of race and class.
THE FILMMAKERS
Joe Brewster's, thought provoking narrative films and documentaries have challenged and inspired audiences across the globe and along the way garnered awards both domestically and internationally. His 1996 debut, The Keeper was screened at Toronto, Sundance and Cannes Film Festival and received a Spirit Award nomination. His work, distributed internationally on cable and in theatrical venues, has received numerous awards for his direction and production.
Michèle Stephenson, Producer/Director uses her international experience as a human rights attorney to tackle stories on communities of color and human rights. An early pioneer in the Web 2.0 revolution, Stephenson used video and the internet to structure human rights campaigns and train people from across the globe in video internet advocacy. Her work has appeared on PBS, Showtime, MTV and other outlets.
Stephenson’s honors include: Best Film Directed by a Woman of Color, ADFF; Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary, ABFF; Diversity Award, SilverDocs International Documentary Film Festival; and the Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Film and Digital Media.