Nonprofit Organization Seeks Sponsors for Documentary on Rural Florida
Beaches, golf and themes parks are on the minds of many in Florida — visitors and residents alike. Modern skyscrapers dot the urban landscape and traffic congestion is featured daily on local roads. But, to Cinderic Documentaries, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in DeLand, a more peaceful haven can be found in Florida’s rural areas and small towns. The organization has been researching and working behind the scenes to develop its next documentary project called “Back Roads to Back Home: Finding the Voices of the Sunshine State.”
“Back Roads to Back Home” is a documentary portrait of small town/rural Florida to be presented as a traveling exhibition and a series of public programs to interpret what it means to be “rural” in Florida. An exhibition will focus on the power of photography and real-life stories of Florida’s residents to connect individuals in both urban and rural areas allowing a better understanding of each.
“There have been several research papers, statistics, publications, and materials that have helped provide a definition of "rural," said Eric Dusenbery, executive director and photographer for the organization. “But we hope to photograph and hear it straight from those we meet: What does it mean to be rural.”
“Many small communities and their residents don’t think they have any stories that would be of interest to others. We want residents to realize that their stories could appeal to the general public seeking to discover Florida history and traditions. People are curious about local history, authenticity, folk traditions and culture and we hope this project will help individuals living in rural areas to see themselves differently.”
CDI is seeking private and corporate sponsors to fund the documentary. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law and a variety of benefits from different sponsor levels offer considerable publicity and recognition opportunities. Contact Eric Dusenbery at cinderic.documentaries@gmail.com for sponsor benefits and more information.
During the fieldwork and production, Cinderic Documentaries will provide public presentations on issues relating to rural culture at diverse venues in Florida. Selected photographs and excerpts from oral histories will be presented at the initial gallery venue, Mount Dora Center for the Arts in July of 2013.
The project will take approximately 18 months to complete, including collecting the oral histories and making the photographs. One of the more interesting aspects of the project is that in a style reminiscent of legendary documentary photographer Walker Evans, the project will utilize the large format film camera exclusively with high quality black and white imagery to capture the details and intricacies of rural Florida.
The project will feature not only a selected number of agricultural families that are emblematic of small town/rural Florida, but also shopkeepers, waitresses, ethnic farm workers, firemen, pastors and other community members from both a historical perspective and present-day realities.
“We just want to give a voice to ordinary Floridians who have interesting stories to share about small-town and rural life,” said Dusenbery.
Visit www.cinderic.org for more information about the project and organization.
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ADDITIONAL PRESS ON ORGANIZATION
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/crossroads-documenting-rural-voices
http://www.colliergov.net/index.aspx?recordid=12073&page=18
