'Raising Bertie' headed to IFP, Fresh Docs, and Cucalourus

As the Summer draws to a close, here are some exciting developments taking place for Beti Films in the Fall.

'Raising Bertie' in NYC for IFP Independent Film Week

From September 20 - 25, the team behind Raising Bertie (#teambertie) will be in New York City for The Independent Filmmaker Project's (IFP) Project Forum at IFP Independent Film Week to be held at Lincoln Center. Raising Bertie was previously selected for IFP's Documentary Lab held in May. IFP has published the full slate of programming for Independent Film Week. More information can be found in this official press release by IFP.

Fresh Docs to screen 'Raising Bertie' in Durham, N.C.

We're excited to announce a special advanced work in progress screening of Raising Bertie, in Durham on Friday, September 25th! Raising Bertie will kick off the fourth season of Southern Documentary Fund's monthly work in progress series, Fresh Docs. The free screening will be held at the American Tobacco Campus' Full Frame Theater in Downtown Durham, NC. Following the screening, there will be a feedback session with the filmmaker that will be moderated by Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) director Rachel Raney. Fresh Docs is co-presented by Southern Documentary Fund and Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies. Read more.

'Raising Bertie' to present at Cucalorus Film Festival in NC

Raising Bertie is an official selection for this year's work-in-progress program at the Cucalorus Film Festival, which will be held on November 11 - 15 in Downtown Wilmington, N.C. Cucalorus is one of the largest film festivals held in the southern United States and was recently recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as "One of the Coolest Film Festivals in the World, 2014." More information on the festival can be found on the official site.

'Raising Bertie' awarded Southern Documentary Fund Filmmaking Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2014

Media Contact:

Frances Cedro

Beti Films

917.873.8282

raisingbertie@gmail.com

‘Raising Bertie’ awarded Southern Documentary Fund Filmmaking Grant

Documentary one of four recipients in grant’s inaugural year

Raising Bertie, an upcoming feature documentary co-produced by Beti Films and Kartemquin Films, has recently been awarded the Southern Documentary Fund’s Filmmaking Grant. This is the inaugural year for the grant and Raising Bertie is one of only four recipients. The funds from the grant will go towards post-production on the film. Raising Bertie was previously awarded a MacArthur Grant last year.

“We’re honored to be selected for the Southern Documentary Fund Filmmaking Grant,” said Director Margaret Byrne. “Especially given the organization’s roots in North Carolina, where we spent the last six years filming our story. We are pleased to have the support of North Carolina’s documentary community and look forward to supporting the community in turn.”

Raising Bertie is a feature documentary directed by Margaret Byrne and shot by Jon Stuyvesant. The film follows three young men over the course of five years as they grow into adulthood in Bertie County, a small African American-led farming community in North Carolina. Through the intimate portrayal of these young men, we see the issues facing America’s rural youth and the repercussions of a woefully underfunded rural public school system. Their stories shed light on the complex relationships between family, economics and education.

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About Beti Films
Beti Films is an independent film company specializing in visually rich, socially minded content. Founded in 2004 by Margaret Byrne, Beti Films has worked on countless projects across the globe, believing that storytelling has the power to impact lives and be a catalyst for change.

About Kartemquin Films
Kartemquin Films is a home for independent media makers who seek to create social change through film. With a noted tradition of nurturing emerging talent and acting as a leading voice for independent media, Kartemquin is building on over 45 years of being Chicago’s documentary powerhouse. Kartemquin is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

About Southern Documentary Fund
Founded in 2002, the Southern Documentary Fund is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organization that cultivates documentary projects made in or about the American South. Inspired by our core belief that documentaries have the power to change lives, SDF serves as a leading advocate for powerful Southern storytelling, providing filmmakers and artists with professional support, fiscal sponsorship, and creative community.

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