Working Title  Cape Wind: The Fight for the Future of Power in America

Logline Taking place surrounding the fabled waters of Nantucket Sound, CAPE WIND is a telling microcosm of the divisiveness the renewable energy industry faces as it battles to remove the shackles of America’s fossil fuel dependency.

Summary The fight over America’s hottest renewable energy project is raging into its seventh and final year. Hailed as America’s first offshore wind farm, the Cape Wind project consists of 130 440ft turbines to be built in Nantucket Sound surrounded by the wealthiest summertime oasis in the country, Cape Cod and the Islands. Like massive lightning rods, its wind towers attracted the awe or fury of everyone from fisherman to Senator. Wrought with bizarre alliances and oodles of PR cash, the Cape Wind story is a telling microcosm of the divisiveness the renewable energy industry faces as it battles to remove the shackles of America’s fossil fuel dependency.
As Hollywood cranks out sci-fi blockbusters and groundbreaking documentaries about the effects of global warming, Cape Wind tackles the root causes of society’s collective inability to produce a large-scale solution to the global crisis it created. Resistance to change is nothing new, but if permitted the Cape Wind project will open the floodgates for offshore wind farms up and down the American coastlines.
Filmed in Hi-Defintion, replete with celebrities and high drama, Cape Wind has all of the ingredients of a high-impact documentary. And with the Fed’s final decision coming down at the end of this year, the timing of the film will be key. Much more than the fate of the Cape Wind project hangs in the balance. If the rising tide of the renewable energy movement prevails in this battle, Cape Wind will be remembered as the first major blow in the Fight for the Future of Power in America.

Financial/Distribution Details

Working Title  Bearing Witness

Logline A journalist witnesses a war crime in Bosnia and she is subpoenaed to testify at The Hague, causing a crisis of professional ethics and post-traumatic stress.

Summary Bosnia. 1996. An American journalist and her cameraman witness a crime against humanity. The Hague Tribunal calls them to testify, forcing a choice between the standard practice of journalistic immunity from testimony and the pull of conscience to larger issues of human responsibility. This is an ethical choice where both options are based in logic and compassion. There is no "right" answer.

The subject matter—war crimes, journalistic integrity, the conflict between personal and professional ethics—raises the question, "What would you do?" and offers the opportunity for a much broader audience and impact than most short films. In addition to the "traditional" market trajectory of a short film (screenings, film festival showings, and cable and television sales, DVD and internet release), there is an expanded opportunity in public education through collaborative events with human rights groups, journalist's organizations and journalism and law schools.

The film could be used as a launching point for a discussion about war crimes, the international criminal court and the protection of journalists in war zones. I've had conversations with several organizations - including the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Crimes of War Project about putting together a study guide and distributing the film to j-schools and law schools. The script has been vetted by an attorney from the ICC and pronounced completely accurate and detailed.

A successful staged reading held at the Inkwell Theater generated a vigorous audience discussion lasting longer than the reading itself.

The lead role is a significant dramatic opportunity for an actress, and has already attracted interest from major casting directors, who will participate for a nominal fee if the financing is in place.

Financial/Distribution Details No financing in place, but many production relationships which will enable us to make a half-hour short at this budget.

No distribution deal. Plan for online, DVD and event based-distribution in place.