Experience D.C. General from the inside as a brave mother raising her two-year-old daughter maintains a secret iPhone diary of their time at a shelter notorious for its uninhabitable conditions and structural neglect.

Interview with Writer/Director Sasha Williams

Watch Raise to Rise here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I had the opportunity to do my first short film project and with the Street Sense Homeless Filmmakers Cooperative, which is actually the nation’s first homeless filmmakers co-op. After helping other members of the co-op make their films, myself and another female director wanted to produce our own.

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

You’ll get the opportunity to see a different experience. My documentary tells the story of my daughter and I trying to get out of a D.C. family shelter and into permanent housing.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

A personal theme is the determination to make it through mental and physical disabilities in order to improve my situation. On a universal level, I wanted to bring awareness to the difficulties many people face in trying to find affordable housing. Some people don’t know or understand what experiences people go through or that homelessness is not the same for everyone. There is always something that can be done to make a difference.

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

There were a lot of ups and downs. Initially I didn’t think I was going to be the focus of my project—I wanted to show how other people are dealing with homelessness working to change their lives for the better. My mentor in the filmmakers' cooperative was like, “Why don't you do a story about your own situation?”

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I was able to have my film shown to a lot of different audiences, but what stood out the most was doing a screening with Georgetown University and sharing my experiences with students and doctors.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The attention that my film drew was surprising. The day before my project was screened at E Street Cinemas in D.C., I was invited on Fox 5’s morning news with Holly (who was a wonderful interviewer). The next night, the screening was sold out. That was surprising for me.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I want more people to understand that people are human beings regardless of their living situation. When you see someone on the street or someone struggling to find housing stability, say hello and encourage them.

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

Anyone who is interested! I can be contacted through Street Sense (info@streetsense.org).

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

I want people to appreciate this as a survival story.

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

What are some of the problems with the D.C. housing system?

Would you like to add anything else?

Please share this film with your friends and loved ones!

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I recently received certification in production, videography and editing from DCTV, the public access channel in D.C. I am currently working on relocating to a better community and awaiting the arrival of my second daughter.

Interview: September 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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Raise to Rise

Length: 29 minutes

Director: Sasha Williams

Producer: Angie Whitehurst

Writer: Sasha Williams

About the writer, director and producer: We are advocates who believe that housing is a human right and are committed to using media to spread that message.

Key cast: Sasha and Eboni Williams

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All of the above

Social media handles

Instagram: streetsensedc

Other:

Funders: The Reva and David Logan Foundation

Made in association with: The Homeless Filmmakers Cooperative

Where can I see it in the next month? This film will screen at the DC Shorts Film Festival: noon, Sept. 12 at E St. Cinema in downtown Washington, D.C. You can also set up your own screening by contacting Street Sense Event Coordinator Dani Gilmour (dani@streetsense.org).