Four brave women set out to row across the Pacific Ocean.

Interview with Director Sarah Moshman

Watch Losing Sight of Shore on Prime Video, iTunes, Tubi & Plex

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made LOSING SIGHT OF SHORE for the same reason I make all of my work, the story spoke to me in such a powerful way and I wanted to help shine a light on this extraordinary adventure. I am also passionate about telling stories of strong women because of the lack of representation of women in the media.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Losing Sight of Shore is a documentary about four brave women who set out to row across the Pacific Ocean from America to Australia. It's a story about friendship, perseverance, and the power of the human spirit. These women are not professional athletes, they worked hard for a dream they had and they wanted to prove what we are all capable of as people. You should watch this film to see how they endure such a mentally and physically exhausting challenge, but also you can't help but be inspired to cross your own 'Pacific' after watching too. You will want to take out your bucket list and start checking things off.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

My work is based around the empowerment of women. There are so many messages in our media today telling us to feel less than or unworthy so I work hard to make sure my films do the opposite. I want people to feel uplifted and inspired after watching a film I made, and take that empowerment into their day to day lives. I believe in the power of cinema to change the world, and I've had the pleasure of seeing how films can make real impact firsthand. I'm so grateful to be doing the work that I do and I feel like if a topic or person or story speaks to be personally there's a chance it will do the same for other people. I always start there, is a universal theme going to come out of this so people can take inspiration from it and not just be a passive viewer?

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

This film has evolved in so many ways as production went on. I supplied the Coxless Crew (the team of rowers) with cameras so they could film their own story out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and I would meet them on land along the way in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Hawaii, Samoa, and ultimately Australia. I would eagerly await the footage during each stop and then find the story as I went along. It was a fascinating process and I could see that as the Crew got closer to me on land, they got closer to the camera on the boat.

It was beautiful to watch them open up and be vulnerable even in times where they felt so lost or alone. The theme of the film stayed consistent but the arcs of each character evolved as it was happening in real time and this was real life unfolding in an unbelievable situation of courage and bravery. I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Well not many people have seen the film yet, but the people that have in test screenings, festival programmers, and family and friends has been incredibly positive. I'm happy to see that people are getting inspired by this story and taking that feeling into their lives which is all you can really hope for as a filmmaker. I am so excited to share this story with a wider audience!

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Anytime you make a film it's a very humbling experience as it can mean a lot to you, and you're never totally sure it will resonate with people the way you envisioned. I have been surprised to see how people take to the tagline "Everyone has a Pacific to cross." I think that line as well as the whole film is a metaphor for the journeys we all take in our lives and how we all face struggles, but sometimes you have to lose sight of the shore to really find your true self on the other side. I know the richest and most valuable experiences in my career have been the toughest ones as well. And making this film was certainly crossing a Pacific of my own!

Losing Sight of Shore - Director Sarah Moshman filming at sea.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I need audiences to jump on board and champion this film, and tell their friends and families to watch it!

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I want people to feel like they can do anything after watching LOSING SIGHT OF SHORE. And I want people to think of women as strong, courageous, unstoppable forces.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Everyone has a Pacific to cross, what's yours?

Would you like to add anything else?

You can watch my first feature length documentary The Empowerment Project, which follows the journey of five female filmmakers who drive across America to interview inspiring female leaders - on iTunes!

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am in development on several new documentary projects, but open and excited for everything and anything that comes my way next.

Interview: March 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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LOSING SIGHT OF SHORE

Four brave women set out to row across the Pacific Ocean.

Length: 92 min

Director: Sarah Moshman

Producer: Sarah Moshman, Executive Producers: Audra and Courtney Smith, Consulting

Producer: Jonathan Dana, Co-Executive Producer: Lynn Webb

Writer: Sarah Moshman and Peter Saroufim

About the writer, director and producer:

Sarah Moshman is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, teacher and TEDx speaker who is dedicated to telling stories that uplift and inspire as well as showcase strong female role models on screen.

Key cast: Laura Penhaul, Emma Mitchell, Natalia Cohen, Isabel Burnham, Meg Dyos, Lizanne van Vuuren

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Audience!

Funders: Tribeca Film Institute, Rogovy Foundation, Influence Film Foundation

Made in association with: Cinefemme

Where can I see it in the next month?

Bentonville Film Festival. You can also host a screening of the film in your community by going to losingsightofshore.com