Zebrafish: Practically People is a 10-minute, groundbreaking science documentary, in which a close-knit group of scientists explain – in easy-to-understand language – how the simple Zebrafish is a largely untapped treasure trove for understanding, treating and curing human diseases, including (but not limited to): Cancers, e.g., pancreatic, breast, leukemia and glioblastoma •Diabetes •Heart disease •Opioid addiction •Alzheimer’s disease •Autism •Rare diseases, such as Prader-Willi Syndrome

Interview with Executive Producer/Director Jennifer A. Manner

Watch Zebrafish: Practically People, Transforming the Study of Disease on the film’s website

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Despite demonstrated success and the promise of further discovery, funding for Zebrafish research is minimal, since its benefits are not as well known or understood as other biomedical research models. However, these small, transparent fish yield large quantities of statistically accurate, reliable and fast data for disease modeling and drug screening. The implications for medical research and scientific advancement are astounding. We hope that our documentary, Zebrafish: Practically People, Transforming How We Study Disease, leads the way in educating the biomedical community and public about this small minnow and its big benefits in fighting human diseases. Getting this message out is my passion and the reason for this film.

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

Because it will help explain how the zebrafish can serve as cost effective and solid model for biomedical research.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The themes captured in my film

Zebrafish: - the organs that zebrafish and humans share

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Wonderful! I am thrilled at the positive response we have received.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Actually, I am thrilled that I have received feedback at how this film has enabled people to change their views on biomedical research.

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

Really need to have more outlets in main stream media so that the message reaches the decision makers in choices about funding and direction in biomedical research, as well as those impacted by basic science - the patients.

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

I would like to see increased funding for all biomedical research, but especially for the short of cost effective research that the zebrafish model brings.

Zebrafish - how the transparency of the embryo facilitates research.

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

Why Zebrafish?

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

I am now working on a full-length documentary called When Wire Was King. This movie focuses on exploring my other passion – the development of competition in the telecommunications industry and how we ended up where we are today and what tomorrow will look like.

Interview: May 2018

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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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Zebrafish: Practically People, Transforming the Study of Disease

Zebrafishfilm

Length: 9 minutes 52 seconds

Director: Jennifer A. Manner

Producer: Jennifer A. Manner

Writer: Dr. Wendy Leonard

About the writer, director and producer: Jennifer A. Mannner is a passionate health advocate, Jennifer is committed to educating the healthcare community, research scientists, policy makers, and the general public at large about the stunning research accomplishments a handful of scientists have already achieved (and in record time), thanks to Zebrafish.

Wendy Leonard: An award-winning and internationally recognized expert medical writer, Wendy Leonard, PhD, MPH, has been using her gift for translating scientific and medical jargon into lay-friendly language

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

Social media handles:

Facebook: @zebrafishfilm

Twitter: @zebrafishfilm

Instagram: @zebrafishfilm

Funders: ZScientific LLC

Made in association with:

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? www.zebrafishfilm.org

It has been named a finalist for Cannes 2018, a semi-finalist in the Mediteranean Film Festival, a semi-finalist in the Hollywood International Independent Film Fsetival, Nominee for Best Documentary at the Colony Film Festival, Winner for ImpactDocs, and a Winner of Top Shorst. The film has also been selected for numerous Film Festivals including the Maryland International Film Festival and the Technology Film Festival among others. The film can be viewed at www.zebrafishfilm.org.