Body of Work: Tony Heriza

Tony Heriza has been engaged in producing media for social change since the 1970s, while also teaching and working with community organizations. His work has been broadcast on PBS and screened widely at film festivals. He was one of the founders of Media House, a collective headed by Julia Reichert and Jim Klein, activists and filmmakers who were nominated for an Oscar along the way for films “Union Maids” and “Seeing Red.” Tony has a B.A. from Antioch College and a Master’s degree from Rutgers University. He has taught media production at Rutgers, the University of Pennsylvania, and Temple University, and served for many years as Director of Media Production for the American Friends Service Committee.

This Body of Work will showcase two evenings highlighting Tony’s films focusing on the power of visuals, film, and videos, to tell stories that illuminate issue(s) and provoke and incite an act of care and an advocacy for change. Harkening back to his collective filmmaking background Tony’s two projects: “Facing the Wind” and the “Art of Survival” will illustrate how those collaborative roots dictate the stories he documents.

“I found out there is tremendous power in using visuals, film and videos, to tell a story,” he said. “The video illuminates an issue, and hopefully moves people to care, and to act.”

Thursday, September 18th, 7:00 PM

Facing the Wind

(USA, 2024, 58 minutes)

Facing the Wind is a love story about people with Lewy body dementia, the spouses who care for them, and the remarkable community where they find sustenance and support.

Friday, September 19th, 7:00 PM

The Art of Survival

(USA, 2023, 28 minutes)

Art of Survival is a short documentary that captures the energy and spirit of the Kensington Storefront, an open arts studio that for three years offered a cup of coffee, a snack, and a chance to make art—in the heart of Philadelphia's drug crisis.

Host or Publisher Scribe Video Center