Support Films and Filmmakers While Under Quarantine
By Tia Culver
Atlanta, along with many other cities and countries around the world, is being affected by the virus COVID-19. Georgia’s film sector has been put on hold which is negatively affecting thousands of businesses that support the industry. While stuck at home, you can support the filmmaking community through donations and watching a film or two.
RoleCall Watch is dedicated to elevating the voices of incredibly talented independent filmmakers and paying storytellers a fair wage. With RoleCall Watch 50% of your subscription dollars go directly to filmmakers. New films drop every Wednesday. Recent stories include Catch by Adante Watts, a film about a black teen who discovers he has superpowers during a life-or-death encounter with a police officer; Hitting Twin Grove High, a film by Caleb Nelson in which a high school senior’s only shot at graduating is an elaborate heist; and Tyrone L. Robinson’s Un{H}armed, inspired by the tragic shooting of Stephon Clark in Sacramento, California in March of 2018, which seeks to show a different ending to an oftentimes tragic narrative facing Black American men when they deal with law enforcement in America. With multiple genres of films to choose from, along with narrative music videos, there is something for everyone in your household to enjoy.
Along with supporting independent filmmakers you can assist your local film community by donating to local theatres. The City of Atlanta previously ordered all movie theaters to close due to COVID-19 and even though Georgia Governor Kemp has said they could reopen soon, theatres have lost an unbelievable amount of revenue and are in need of the community’s support. Atlanta's longest continuously operating and independently owned - and only minority-owned - cinema, the Plaza Theatre, is asking its supporters, loyal patrons and fellow lovers of cinema to pitch in by donating to its GoFundMe campaign in order to re-open once able. Pledges to “Help The Plaza Theatre Survive COVID-19” will ease the stressors of a group that wants nothing more than to deliver experiences to audiences and keep this Atlanta landmark alive.
There are also several resources available to the film community and a COVID-19 Resource List can be found on Film Impact Georgia’s website. Film Impact Georgia is a nonprofit that is dedicated to using its strength, reputation, and actions to help provide a voice to those making independent films in Georgia. The organization has a list of financial resources including The Actors Fund, American Documentary COVID-19 Artist Emergency Fund, Atlanta Artist Lost Gig Fund, Motion Picture Television Fund and the NETFLIX Emergency Support Fund just to name a few.
Supporting your local filmmaking community through donations and watching films is a great way to lend a hand during these uncertain times. So grab some popcorn and start watching some of the great content created by independent filmmakers!
ATLFS and Georgia State University Public Relation students have collaborated on a series of articles on the film industry.