Kindness, coming soon to a screen near you…

Back, safe, home again

I’ve been in spring cleaning mode lately, my office was my most recent project. While sorting through things, I came across this little piece. I used to keep it in a credit card pocket in my filofax (back in the day).

I have always loved this saying, it’s so basic, but so important. Everyday, we all face situations where we can choose to be kind, or not. I like seeing this little reminder.

Speaking of kindness, I’m so proud of my friend Scilla who has started up a dynamic company which cherishes the great independent films of the world. The company is called IndieFlix {and her office is in my neighborhood!}.

One of her recent ventures is a film called Finding Kind. Finding Kind is a documentary about some of the more unfortunate ways that girls tend to treat one another, or, in other words, girl bullying, definitely a hot topic these days.

Two young filmmakers, Molly Thompson and Lauren Parsekian, started exploring this topic, including some of their personal experiences in school one day. As they continued to research the topic, they found that every girl they talked to had experienced and/or exhibited unkind acts {usually both}….an idea for a film was born.

In a loaned van, they travelled across the country, to learn more and to start a discussion about the effects of such unkindnesses. They organized gatherings, where they led discussions and passed out cards to allow people to express apologies. They also offered opportunities for girls to share their stories and to talk to one another. The healing effects were amazing.

I went to a screening of the film recently with my daughter and friends. It’s very moving, it sends a powerful message of just how devastating mean words or actions can be. The scenes of so many young girls sharing stories about when they were rejected by their friends or other girls in their community were simply heartbreaking. It was a great reminder to me to follow the the simple recommendations from Henry James.

To see a trailer click on Finding Kind.

Molly Thompson {Finding Kind}, Scilla Andreen {Indieflix}, Emily Heston {Splendid Market}, Lauren Parsekian {Finding Kind}

You may recall reading about IndieFlix on SM before, click on Film Festival in a Box to read a post I wrote about a fun product they launched last year. In her ongoing effort to get meaningful, independent films to as many people as possible Scilla has developed a foundation. The funds from the IndieFlix Foundation will be used to widen the audience that is able to experience films such as Finding Kind.

Given the heartbreaking incidents which we have all been hearing about lately, her timing is perfection. I had the chance to ask Scilla a few questions lately, and I thought you might enjoy a part of the conversation.

How did you discover the film Finding Kind?

A really good friend in LA saw the film and felt it was a perfect match for IndieFlix. I watched it at home alone and had an immediate emotional and physical response to the film. I unravelled. I needed to talk to someone about it. I wanted to compare notes with my friends and family or with anyone who would listen and share their own experiences with bullying. It was a perfect fit for the IF Foundation to support.

What are your notions for the future of this film?

Finding Kind is not your typical documentary that follows a handful of story lines that have an arc. This is a film about 2 girls who set off on a journey to make a movie about bullying. What they learned is shared in this film. Watching it in a group setting has a transformative effect on women of all ages. I have seen relationships mended within 2 hours. It’s amazing, but the key is to watch with others. Watching it alone doesn’t have the same effect. I can’t quite explain it. It’s like going on a beautiful trip and not having anyone to share it with or enjoying an incredible meal all by your self. This film is best served in a group.

I am on a mission to screen this film in schools across the country and overtime throughout the world. This film will inspire all of us to make the world a better place. Of course we start with baby steps. We are declaring September 26th as KIND week here in the US. We will be screening the film theatrically in NY & LA to qualify for academy consideration.

Tell me a little about the foundation and what inspired you to start IF?

I believe if we all had access to film we could really change the world. As a filmmaker and the CEO of IndieFlix, I have been experimenting for years on how best to connect people through movies. It has been a challenge to discover what it takes to get people to sit down and want to watch a movie. We have hundreds of great films in our library that have won awards at festivals around the world. In many cases the content is life changing but the challenge remains the same: How do I get people to watch??

Bringing films to the people seems to be the most effective way to get people watching and, of course talking. As I connected with more and more schools, clubs and churches, I learned that they did not have the means to host a screening. I wanted to help but didn’t have the funds. So, I created the IndieFlix Foundation to bring meaningful films to the schools, churches and prisons of underserved communities.