Posted March 9, 2010
Filmanthropy and Torey
By Jerome Weeks | March 9, 2010
A new documentary is screening at the Magnolia Theatre Tuesday evening, a documentary that hopes to raise awareness about a medical issue. But KERA’s Jerome Weeks reports that the way the film was produced also makes it noteworthy.
Moviemakers and actors have often helped raise money for social change. Melina McKinnon does both at once. She fundraises for a movie and the cause that’s the subject of the film. Then she uses the finished documentary to educate people and raise more money for the cause. McKinnon is the founder of M3 Films. What she does has been dubbed “filmanthropy” – combining independent filmmaking with philanthropy.
Dallas, McKinnon says, is a good town for this combination.
McKINNON: “Dallas is such an incredibly philanthropic town. And the time and energy that’s spent toward the arts here? We feel that this is fertile ground to have this concept planted and grow.”
The idea is not unique. Ted Leonsis, owner of the Washington Capitals hockey team, bankrolled the film Nanking two years ago with much the same goal, the same term. (In fact, Leonsis’ company, SnagFilms.com, has an online library of more than 1,000 cause-oriented docs which viewers can watch and support.) There was even a Filmanthropy Festival last fall in Los Angeles.
To read more of Jerome Weeks’ article please visit Art+Seek
Filmanthropy and Torey
