Documentary Film Screenings Bring Together AFB Family and Friends
The forthcoming AFB-produced documentary, Possibilities, was viewed for the first time by friends and family of AFB at two private screening events in September. The full-length documentary has been in the works for several years, and AFB is excited to finally share the film with audiences as 2024 will mark the 100th anniversary of Helen Keller first coming to work with AFB.
Keller’s impact while at AFB (1924-1968) resonated across the globe. The stories threaded throughout the documentary capture Helen’s legacy while paving the way for voices that continue to echo her drive to make the world more inclusive for all.
“We’ve been very moved by the positive response we’ve received around the inclusive message that drives the film, and we can’t wait to share it with larger audiences in the coming year,” said Eric Bridges, AFB president and CEO.
The first screening was held in early September at the Huntington Museum of Art. The evening event was hosted by AFB’s office in Huntington, West Virginia. The event was made possible through the support of the Tubert Foundation, who has also been a supporter of the film’s production.
The following week, AFB held a second private screening along with Scott Tennant, the film’s executive producer. The event was held at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas. The film screening was followed by a panel featuring voices from the documentary along with Tennant, other producers, and the film’s director Bill Sarine.
“Momentum is growing as we get ready to release the film next year, and we thank everyone who has helped us get to this point,” said Tony Stephens, AFB’s director of communications who is also a producer on the film.
Sarine, who flew in from Los Angeles for the event, described during the panel how unique the documentary is for the industry. The film Possibilities is one of the first full-length films intended for widespread distribution that includes open audio description. This means that description will be heard by the entire audience. The audio description team was brought in early to make sure the experience flowed seamlessly throughout the film.
In addition, a significant number of crew working on the film were individuals who are blind or have low vision. This included the film’s musical score composers, sound editors, description writers, consultants, and three of its producers. The documentary demonstrates how film can be inclusive both in front of and behind the camera.
Additional screening opportunities will be announced at the end of the year including a special screening on April 18th in Los Angeles as part of the Helen Keller Achievement Awards.
