SEEDS OF INSPIRATION

 

LOGLINE:

The indigenous women of Central America unify to spread the lost knowledge of an ancient Maya food source in order to put and end to hunger, poverty, deforestation, and gender inequality.



STATUS OF FILM:

In 2009, we were successful in our goal of completing production, having privately raised $6,280 and 2 round-trip plane tickets to Guatemala. During our final shoot, we were given the opportunity to bring creative visions to fruition. This includes everything from time-lapse sequences to re-framing the story through the perspective of mother-daughter relationships and emphasis on the role of the women in the family and community. As we move forward in 2010 our creative focus is ALL about the edit, creating a rough cut based on key elements of the Maya Nut Revolution, and character arch of the main character: Ebani Hernandez. The team is currently seeking a bilingual, female editor who can play creatively with the delivery of the story, the timing of scenes, bringing fresh eyes to the material. Next, we will bring in the consulting producers - Ray Telles and Denise Zmekhol, to discuss everything from character development to timing and narration. Additionally we will review the rough cut with experts of the Subject - Erika Vohman (Maya Nut) and Christopher LaCasse (Deforestation/Environmental Issues) to finalize facts, statistics and educational information that is referenced in the film. 

 

 

á       September 2007 - Seed planted in Directors mind to produce a feature documentary on The Maya Nut Revolution & Pre-Production Begins

á       November 2007 - Research and Development Interviews & Initial production 8 weeks in Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador

á       Dec - July 2008 - This time was spent logging, translating, transcribing, fundraising, and working with our producers to creatively develop the story. 

á       March 2008 - Research & Additional Production: Teeccino in Santa Barbara, California (a corporate buyer- from women producers in Guatemala).

á       February 2009 - Footage from the documentary was used on CNN, and Larry King Live.

á       September 2009 - "Back to Guatemala" Fundraising Campaign utilizing social networking i.e.: facebook, twitter.

á       November 2009 - Back to Guatemala to complete production (La Bendicion, and Peten). Continuing fundraising efforts, archiving and publishing interactive elements such as behind the scenes footage of the crewÕs return to La Bendicion shared via Facebook. 

á       January 2010 - Plot and trailer refinement with emphasis on main characters and the community of La Bendicion.  Working to raise finishing funds, and develop outreach strategies.

á       February 2010 - MAY 2010 – Post Production Begins: Logging, translating, Editing, and fundraising for completion funds and outreach.

á       JUNE 2010 - AUGUST 2010- Rough Cut Screenings, emphasis on Distribution, Exposure at Festivals (late 2010/all 2011), Acquiring additional OUTREACH funding.

á       NOVEMBER 2010 - Estimated Completion date (Private Screenings in San Francisco, Guatemala City, and Crested Butte, Colorado for key participants in the making of this film).

á       November 2010 - December 2011: Festivals and Broadcast, Outreach begins.

 

 


OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT:

The producer, Amanda Mazzanti, has secured and sustained a flourishing relationship with The Equilibrium Fund.  The primary objective for Outreach is to provide the Entire Network developed and sustained by Erika Vohman, the executive director of The Equilibrium Fund, with the DVD, an educational package (developed by The Equilibrium Fund), and access to online resources: including the archive detailed below in the Interactive Elements section.

 

The final DVD and archival media will be available for non-commercial purposes for The Equilibrium Fund and all other institutions, organizations, and individuals who have participated in supporting the Maya Nut Revolution.

 

Partners of The Equilibrium Fund Include: 

Municipalities of Chinandega, Cinco Pinos and San Pedro del Norte, Nicaragua
Restaurante Ola Verde, Nicaragua
United Nations Development Programme, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala
Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Nicaragua
LIDER, Nicaragua
University of Central America, Nicaragua
Asociacion de Productoras "Flor de Ojoche", Nicaragua
Asociacion de Productoras PROJOCHE Cinco Pinos y San Pedro Nicaragua
Defensores de la Naturaleza, Guatemala
WWF, Central America
Empresa Comunitaria Alimentos Nutri-Naturales, Flores, Peten, Guatemala
Municipality of Flores, Peten, Guatemala
Ministry of Education, Guatemala
Ministry of Agriculture, Guatemala
BANRURAL, Guatemala
FONAGRO, Guatemala
CODEMUR, Guatemala
Alimentos Nutri-Naturales, S.A. Guatemala
Instituto Nacional de Bosques (INAB), Guatemala
National Park Service (CONAP)
Embassy of the Republic of Germany
Embassy of the Republic of Luxemburgh
Rotary Club, Flores, Peten
Grocer los Corrales, Guatemala
Programa Reverdecer, Guatemala
Fundacion Rigoberta Menchu, Guatemala
Ministry of Natural Resources, El Salvador
Fundacion AGAPE, El Salvador
CALMA, El Salvador
Parque Nacional Plan de Amayo, El Salvador
CATIE, El Salvador
Fundacion Gaia, El Salvador
FIAES, El Salvador
World Neighbors, Honduras
Heifer Project International, Honduras
Proyecto Reserva Biosfera Rio Platano, Honduras
Lancetilla Botanic Garden, Honduras
Guayaki Sustainable Rainforest Products
Agenda Forestal, Honduras

 

 

INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS:

Accessible Archive: Over the last two years we have spent eight weeks traveling across Central American countries; Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, researching and documenting the Maya Nut Revolution. During the initial stages of research and development we captured interviews with credible individuals and government organizations (detailed below) that play key roles in the resurrection of the Maya Nut. With outreach funding, these interviews will be digitized into a public access database. 

The database will be a part of our existing website and will continue to utilize social networking applications for outreach and fundraising campaigns for The Equilibrium Fund. Upon completion of the film, the site will display screening/broadcast calendar, character updates, and annual impact reports by The Equilibrium Fund. 

 

This is a list of relevant interviews that will be included in the archive to sustain and encourage progress:

¥ Erika Vohman, Founder of The Maya Nut Program

¥ Gustavo Pinelo Morales, Rainforest Alliance

¥ Maritza Mandino, Founder of The Equilibrium Fund of Nicaragua

¥ Sergio Guzman, Technical Director, CONAP

  Santa Elena, Peten, Guatemala (The Maya Biosphere Reserve)

¥ Mario Rene Peirez Mojia, La Selectiva, Store Clerk (first store with Maya Nut) in San Beelito, Peten

¥ Luis Ernesto Barrera Garavito, Instituto Nacional de Bosques (INAB)

¥ Huber Reyes, Fonagro-MAGA

¥ Ing. Luis Romero Fuentes, Vice Minister of The Economy, MIPYME (Guatemala)

¥ Lic. Miguel Eduardo Araujo, SAA, SEM, CAFTA-DR

¥ Dr. Anabel Ford, Director- of Meso-American Research Center at University of Santa Barbara  In addition, Anabel discovered El Pilar in Guatemala. 

¥ Carla Fjeild, PhD, Owner - Ola Verde Restaurante in Manuaga, Nicaragua

¥ Francisco Martinez Estinal, President of Commision for Development of Cinco Pinos (CODER) in Cinco Pinos, Nicaragua

¥ Eduardo Jose Garcia Sanchez, Municipal of San Pedro, Nicaragia

¥ Sandro Briseno Sanchez, Secretary of Municipal Council in San Pedro, Nicaragua

¥ Enrique Garcia Sanchez, Vice President of Municipal Council in San Pedro, Nicaragua

¥ Caroline MacDougall, Founder of Teeccino, Santa Barbara, USA

¥ American Buyers at Encuentro De Migrante Event in Guatemala City (Event for export market).

¥ Nidia Lara, AGAPE, Association, El Salvador

¥ Roberina, MARN, Ministry of The Environment, El Salvador

¥ Jorge Oviedi, Director of Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS)  

¥ Forest Ranger, Chaguantique forest in El Salvador