ReFrame Film Festival 2019 - 60 Seconds
A conversation around the future of food.
Interview with Director/Producer Jeannette Breward
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
This film began as a continuation of a theme from a still photography-documentary project I had been working on previously which documented a young couple starting a sustainable livestock farm from the ground up. When I decided to approach a film project, I knew I wanted to create something that was in line with this same type of message. I knew of the two local initiatives that are featured in the film, and really wanted to create something that focussed on the positive efforts that were being put forth within my own small community. The individuals behind each of the featured farms/growing operations were both completely on board and supportive of the film, and it continued to grow from there.
Imagine Im a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I think this film has an underlying message that relates to anyone, and is about themes that are important to everyone as well. Becoming aware of food security issues within our communities and ways we can support the food security of others, while taking sustainable farming methods back into our own hands is knowledge that I think is universal.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think the universal theme of the film revolves around the idea of hope for the future of our food systems and our environment. It starts on a personal scale, with two initiatives from within my own community. But big changes can come from the actions of each of us, and taking the food system back into our own hands can start with doing what we can to support those around us who are striving towards these goals with the work that they do.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The film has definitely changed some since it was first conceptualized. This was mostly in the name of time constraints. Originally I had a third element involved in the film a local (to Northumberland County) food festival called Cultivate that focuses on supporting local food providers, sustainability, and education around food, growing and eating. Unfortunately in order to keep this as a short documentary, and for a more streamlined story, I had to pare it down to just the two initiatives that are now included in the final piece.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The film has had a few public screenings and the feedback has been quite great. People seem to really want to engage in this topic, which is not too surprising as it is something that I believe people are becoming much more mindful of, considering the growing demand for organic, sustainable food and sustainable methods of food production, while the real dangers of climate change and soil depletion become more widely spread.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback I have had thus far to the film at its previous screenings has been quite positive. I think people enjoy the hopeful message and many people have been quite curious to ask questions of the farmers (when they have been present at past screenings) to be able to put some of these techniques into practice in their own home gardens, which I think is really fantastic. I was somewhat surprised by how many people were immediately motivated to take action themselves and find better ways to grow their own food where possible.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
The larger audience the film can reach, the better, so any avenue to spread the word about it is ideal. I think its an important conversation for people to be having in their own communities and simply sparking the idea of thinking more consciously about where our food is coming from and ways that we can support our local, sustainable growers is so important. More broadly, it is a project that I would love to turn into a series, so being able to potentially reach other farmers and growing initiatives that are passionate about the same ideals and who may want to discuss coming on-board for future episodes of this project would be wonderful as well.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Definitely distributors. This is the last scheduled screening currently booked for 60 Seasons, and I would love for it to reach a larger audience. Beyond that, my goal for the film is to turn it into a series – one that explores many different individuals and communities that are working to support food security and sustainable farming methods in their own way. I would love to highlight these positive efforts around our province, or even country. 60 Seasons was created as my thesis work for my MFA in Documentary Media. Now that I have completed my schooling, the biggest hurdle is funding. It is my goal to explore funding options to be able to obtain the gear, access, and other incidentals that I need in order to continue this project in a much broader sense, and be able to keep creating similar work going forward. So besides distribution, funding is my biggest need to grow this project.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
My goal with this film was simply to have people begin to think more closely about their food choices. Who they are supporting with the food they are buying, how they could support the food security of others in their community, and how they could be helping to give back to their local small growers and farmers.
Whats a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I think the key questions this film wants the audience to leave asking themselves is where does my food come from, and how am I supporting or could I be supporting a sustainable growing system.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Right now, as mentioned above, I am working on obtaining funding to expand this project into an on-going series, while continuing to grow my still photography practice.
Interview: January 2019
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
60 Seasons
A conversation around the future of food.
Length: 32 minutes
Director: Jeannette Breward
Producer: Jeannette Breward
About director and producer:
JEANETTE BREWARD is a photographer and documentary film maker from Port Hope, Ontario. Jeannette has her BFA in Fine Art Photography and her MFA in Documentary Media, both from Ryerson University.
Key cast: Tony and Linda Armstrong of Headwaters Farm, Craig Smith of Punk Rock Produce.
Looking for: Distributors, funding for continuation of the project.
Facebook: 60 Seasons film
Other: www.jbreward.com/60Seasons
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?:
This is the last scheduled public screening of 60 Seasons currently, but follow along on Facebook to be notified of updates.