NEWLY FUNDED: ITVS is Pleased to Announce Funding for Brad Lichtenstein’s Doc, As Goes Janesville

ITVS recently approved funding for As Goes Janesville, which tells the the story of what happens when GM leaves Janesville, Wisconsin. From laid off workers to political and business leaders, the documentary shows how a community rebuilds and reinvents itself.

As Goes Janesville follows the lives of dislocated workers, business entrepreneurs and politicians from the Janesville, Wisconsin area to see how they reinvent their lives and the local economy to survive the loss of their century old GM plant in the larger economic downturn.

Watch an interview with Director/Producer Brad Lichtenstein after the jump >>
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Tags: class, economy, GM, janesville, jobs, politicians, recession, wisconsin, working class

Newly Contracted: ITVS Announces Funding for Filmmakers Tom Xia and Alicia Dwyer of Xmas Without China

The documentary Xmas Without China follows Tom Xia’s journey as he challenges a California family to celebrate Christmas without any products from China. Filmmakers Tom Xia and Alicia Dwyer are among several new recipients of ITVS’s Open Call Funding.

A scene from Xmas Without China

The filmmaking pair discussed the project on a recent visit to the SF. Check out the video after the jump…
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Tags: alicia dwyer, China, economics, economy, gloablization, ITVS, open call funding, PBS, tom xia, U.S., xmas without china

Open Call Recipient: Aaron Schock, Filmmaker of CIRCO

ITVS funds, distributes and promotes new programs produced by independent producers primarily for public television and beyond.

Aaron Schock produced and directed CIRCO, which looks at the hardscrabble Ponce family circus in Mexico who are struggling to preserve their art and way of life against a collapsing rural economy. Schock received ITVS’s Open Call funding and in the clip below discusses what food inspires his work and how documentary can serve as a tool to break down barriers and create a greater understanding of other people and cultures.

Interested in applying for Open Call? ITVS is looking for single public television programs on any subject, viewpoint or style. We fund programs that bring new audiences to public television and expand civic participation by bringing diverse voices into the public sphere. This year’s deadline is July 31, 2009.

Find more information about Open Call funding >>

Tags: circus, economy, Mexico, Open Call

Watch QUICK FEET, SOFT HANDS This Month on Public Television

Against the backdrop of Southern League baseball, fiancees Jim and Lisa face the challenge of moving up America’s economic ladder. Jim, a minor league shortstop, fights a batting slump while Lisa slogs away to support them. Together they must confront Jim’s slump as they cope with the day-to-day realities of being young, married and poor.

Check out the clip below:

QUICK FEET, SOFT HANDS premieres this month on public television (check local listings)

This film received ITVS Open Call funding and will be distributed by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA).

Tags: baseball, economy, online video