@Lina Lyte Plioplyte - I thought this is an interesting new resource that will be launching soon.. https://www.theshareplatform.com/

Did you see? The most coveted film festival just announced what films got selected. What are you excited to see? SELENA AND THE DINOS for me (huge fan of Selena here). What are yours? https://festival.sundance.org/program/films/category=5fb4da8e6b7bc34e61578edd?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=It%20s%20Here%21%20See%20the%202025%20Festival%20Program%21&utm_campaign=sff25_pre-fest_6

This is the first documentary project I worked on this year along amazing Producer/Director Lara Jacoski, from Bem-te-vi Productions. The objective of this first trip was to start the consultation process about how we were going to talk about this, a documentary that shows how the Coca plant was traditionally harvested and taken care of (organically), something that barely happens nowadays. Kuka Saruy translates from Quechua as "Stomped Coca" which is the ritual moment of the harvest in which during the drying of the leaf after harvested the farmers and harvest crew step on the leaves and dance on them, and in this way pass their good energy and prayers to the leaf, as its a leaf that is considered as a spiritual tool for the people of the Andes. It was a productive trip as we were able to get at least enough footage to edit a Trailer, and start a Crowdfuning Campaign with it, apply for grants or funding, and even imagine what the script would be like. However, for different reasons, the energy flow of this project got stagnant and we never proceeded with the Crowdfunding Campaign, and didn't get any funds to continue with the project. We decided to let it rest for a while so we can ferment on successful ways to push it and finish it without any forcing. Feedback comments by the community regarding the trailer and/or the situation would be very much appreciated! Plot Summary: This movie focuses on the message that the last elder for the community have heard from their APUS, sacred mountains. Taita José, invokes his elder soon Wilfredo Apaza, the Q’ero messenger to go into an ancient pilgrimage seeking to rebuild the relationship with this sacred plant and bringing back the power of AYNI (Sacred Reciprocity). Throughout this journey full os mysteries where two realities meet, the Amazon and the Andes, he encounters fellow seekers who further underscore the importance of AYNI. The final encounter is with the elder Don Fortunato, one of the few representatives that is the living testimony of the sacred ritual of the "Kuka Saruy", which unfolds and unlocks the access to ancient wisdom that can guide humanity into a balanced life among all living beings.

https://itvs.org/funding/open-call/

Have you seen MARTHA, a documentary on Martha Stewart, yet (it's on Netflix)? It's a good case study on how to tell a biopic: centering on one person, filmmakers choosing specific life events as challenges to build a story upon, and for it to act as film structure markers. Then the director weaves story with its beats: funny - serious - sad - fun, and so forth. There's a rhythm to it, besides telling someone's life story. There are moments that foreshadow what will happen next, building anticipation, like the "Perfect perfect perfect" moment, and boyfriend-jail moment. On top of that, for the film like this, you have heaps of archival to work with: imagine fun and a challenge to dig through all of it. Every film has their archival list in the credits, so you can see where they sorted their archive images from, personal sources, etc. Archival is what really builds Martha's life to us, audiences. The personal photos, those not seen by the public, are of course the most exciting ones, when you tell a story of a famous person. How images are presented - with a flip book feel - help us feel as if we are flipping through old photo books and magazines that Martha was part of. Note that when the filmmakers didn't have archival to fall upon to illustrate the story, they used animation, like in court and jail scenes. Also note that sometimes filmmakers used candid, behind the scene moments and times that should not haev been filmed, to show a more authentic, off the cuff side of Martha. Those are all techniques one can use to help audience understand the character more. Watch it with an analyzing eye, and you will learn a lot of how you can tell a personal story of a person that becomes universal, approachable to all of us. What are your thoughts about it?