NORTH PUTNAM documentary film screening and panel discussion

A year in the life of a rural Indiana school district and the rural community it serves, an extended glimpse into a world so often overlooked. It’s not overblown to say that public education is wracked with challenges that threaten to subsume it, and the film doesn't shy away from depicting these challenges. But this is primarily a story of hope.

Driected by Award-winning documentary filmmaker Joel Fendelman (Man on Fire, Remittance)

Dave Eggers (Award-Winning Author, Editor, Publisher and Human Rights Activist) writes:

“A subtle and beautiful slice of life, and an affirmation of the power of schools and teachers to create something extraordinary amidst challenging external forces. Every time we see bad news in North Putnam –- a hollowed-out downtown, shrinking farms, the scourge of opioids — we turn back to the school, where there is limitless compassion and unwavering hope.”

Followed by a panel discussion with the producer, Beth Benedix, Eric Jenkins (Indiana 2024 Teacher of the Year), Linda Moore, Founder of the Elsie Whitlow Stokes School and Kate. W. English Executive, Director of the Educator’s Institute for Human Rights (EIHR).

Host or Publisher DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF)