November 30, 2017 - A film created by two local librarians about the Mariposa County Library’s adult literacy program was one of 10 short documentaries showcased at the Central Valley Community Foundation’s Big Tell Film Festival at Warnors Theater in Fresno last month.
Entitled “Literacy Empowers,” the 5-minute film told the stories of two volunteer tutors and two learners in their own words. It was conceived and made by Library staff members Rebecca Adams and Karen Dusek. Local songwriter/musician Ronnie Sweeting provided an original instrumental score.
Attending the Big Tell Film Festival at Warnors Theater in Fresno recently were (pictured l-r): Rebecca Adams, Karen Dusek, Dennis Pope, Makayla Pope, Linda Erhardt, Rosalie Thurston and Jacob Adams. The Mariposa Library's film "Literacy Empowers" was one of 10 selected for production and screening in a contest sponsored by the Central Valley Community Foundation.
The idea was selected with nine others from a field of 85 applicants. Each winner was awarded a grant of $5,000. They also had an opportunity to be mentored by award-winning film maker Sascha Rice and to receive one-on-one training at the Community Media Center (CMAC) studio in Fresno. Highlights included dinner with the CVCF board of directors and representatives of Bank of America, which contributed $25,000 toward the Big Tell program, and an opportunity to meet Academy Award winner and USC professor Michael Fink, who also presented a lively workshop based on his work on the film “The Golden Compass”.
“Literacy Empowers” will be shown locally during a tutor recognition open house at the Library on Thursday, December 7, 2017 from 5:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. The public is invited to attend (see flyer below.) Refreshments will be served and information about the adult literacy program will be available.
The grant is being used to purchase cameras and other equipment for use by teens in free media workshops that will be offered on Thursday afternoons as part of the Library’s Green S.T.E.A.M. Makerspace program. The workshops will be taught by Adams, who has an AA in computer science with a focus in multimedia. Participants will learn the art of filmmaking by creating an original work from written outline to final editing.
Anyone in grades 9-12 can register to attend an informational orientation on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 3:00 P.M. in the Library’s community room. Workshops will begin on Thursday, January 11 and continue through March. Space is limited to 15 for the first series, so early registration is recommended. A second series will be offered, beginning in the spring.
