Monday, July 22, 2013 A Great Woman Passes from Life

Yesterday, a wonderful, unforgettable woman and my personal hero, Rosalie Wahl, passed away.  Rosalie gave so much to our society and to everyone she met as she lived her life -- the most unselfish, kind, and giving person I have known in my life.  One individual I spoke to as I was researching for our film said that Rosalie was "the nearest person to God that I have ever met."  Last night, as I drove home, a full moon rose in the east; and a thought came to me that the heavens were trying to make up for the loss of that shining light that Rosalie Wahl had been to our troubled world.

Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto

I've just returned from attending the Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto Canada

A wonderful festival with great workshops and a fantastic selection of films.  Thanks to the organizers for including "Girl from Birch Creek."

Screening at the Humphrey Institute on April 10, 2013

On April 10, 2013 our film was screened at the Humphrey Institute.  The screening was sponsored by the Infinity Project, the Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society and Minnesota Women Lawyers.  Following the screening, a panel convened featuring the Honorable Wilhelmina Wright, Honorable Esther Tomljanovich, Honorable Harriet Lansing and the Honorable Kathleen Blatz. You can hear their discussion at the following link.

http://www.theinfinityproject.org/events.htm

Audiences Love "Girl from Birch Creek"!

Comments from viewers:

"I feel UPLIFTED after seeing the premiere of the movie "The Girl from Birch Creek". THANK YOU to John Kaul and Emily Haddad for an incredible story told with the finest attention to detail. I laughed, and cried and feel so proud to have such a rich heritage. Well done! Bravo!!!"

"I just saw the movie & am so grateful for the privilege! I'm struggling to write e-mails & texts to "my kids" {nieces  & daughters of friends} -- tears still blurring my vision as I continue to be moved by the messages I came away with ... reminders of the many women who worked so hard to advance women's issues & for gender equality. I was thrilled to see young people in the audience - such a rich history lesson they got tonight. I'll be checking your Website to learn if there'll be additional showings, so I can bring "my kids" to meet Justice Wahl & because I want them to learn about the efforts of her & other women ... efforts that now allow young women to KNOW {not just hope} that they can choose any path they want!"

"The film was...for lack of a better term - exquisite - It was informative/educational, entertaining, heartwarming - I teared up just listening to her speech. The overwhelming feelings of what women's rights has gone through and an advocate for those rights to get us where we are at today."  

"Wednesday night was wonderful.  Thanks for the opportunity to be present at the "preview" of GIRL.....!  The big question I've had from friends and colleagues is:  "When will it be shown again....and where?"  Thanks again."

"Frances and I had an amazing mother-daughter date night at the premiere of "Girl From Birch Creek," the documentary about MN Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Wahl. The film is fantastic -- from beginning to end. Congrats to filmmakers John Kaul and Emily Haddad on a job well done!" 

Official Selection: The Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto, Canada

We're very proud to announce that our film is an official selection of the Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. Here is their website:  http://www.femaleeyefilmfestival.com/

The festival will run from June 19th to June 23rd, 2013.  I hope to attend.

Fantastic showings of "Girl from Birch Creek"

During the past three weeks we've shown "Girl from Birch Creek" to three different audiences.  The response from all audiences was unanimous.  They love the film!

On Friday, April 12, "Girl from Birch Creek" was screened at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival.

On Saturday morning, April 27th, we showed the film in Northfield, Minnesota at Carlton College's  Weitz Center for Creativity.

On Saturday evening, April 27th we showed the film during the Rochester International Film Festival, a terrific festival.

Emily Haddad with Randy Stone and State Rep. Kim Norton at the Film Festival

John and I want to thank all of the organizers for these events for helping us show "Girl from Birch Creek" to as many viewers as possible.

Also a reminder that there is another showing of the film at the Rochester festival tonight at 9:45PM.  And there is a possibility that it will be shown once again this coming Thursday at the festival.  You may want to check their website for more details by clicking the poster above.

Showing at the Rochester International Film Festival

I'm proud to announce that "Girl from Birch Creek" has been selected to be shown at the Rochester International Film Festival in Rochester, Minnesota.  There are two showings -- the first is at 5:20 pm this coming Saturday, April 27th and the second is at 9:45 pm on Sunday, April 28th. I will be attending the Saturday showing and participate in a Q&A after the showing. Here is the link to the website: http://rifg.org/ for more information about the showing.

Thanks to the Rochester Film Festival for selecting our film!!!

Showing of "Girl from Birch Creek" in Northfield, MN

The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a showing of "Girl from Birch Creek" in Northfield, Mn on Saturday, April 27, 2013.  Go to this website for further information:

http://lwvnorthfieldmn.org/events/?event_id=256971&date=2013-04-27

American Documentary Film Festival in Palm Springs, CA

This weekend I'm attending the American Documentary Film Festival in Palm Springs.  I've seen some wonderful films and am looking forward to showing "Girl from Birch Creek" tonight.  I also attended a very interesting seminar on documentary filmmaking and the latest trends.  A great festival!!!

Showing at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, April 10, 2013

"Girl from Birch Creek" is being shown on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.  Please go to the website below to learn more and register to see the film.

https://www.facebook.com/events/500231670036248/

Official Selection -- Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

I'm so pleased to announce that "Girl from Birch Creek" is an Official Selection of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival.  It will be shown on Friday, April 12 at 2pm in the afternoon.  A big thanks to the MSPIFF for selecting our film! Here's a link:    

 http://www.mspfilmfest.org/MMXIII/content/girl-birch-creek

Interview on the radio show, "The Roadhouse"

Last Friday I was interviewed by Ann Possis on her radio show ("The Roadhouse") which is broadcast from Grand Marais, MN.  We talked about "Girl from Birch Creek,"  about how I was inspired to make the film and about Justice Wahl's legacy to our society.  You can listen to the interview here.

OFFICIAL SELECTION, AMERICAN DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL, PALM SPRINGS

Our documentary has been selected to be shown at the American Documentary Film Festival in Palm Springs, CA, which runs from April 4 through the 8th.  We are very excited and thank the festival for choosing our film!

SNEAK PREVIEW AT AAUW and NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ON FILM

On February 20, 2013 I showed "Girl from Birch Creek" to the St. Paul chapter of the American Association of University Women.  It was a large group and they really enjoyed the film.  I thank them for inviting me and for the lovely lunch.

Below is an article written about our film which came out shortly before our first sneak preview:

STANDING OVATIONS FOR "GIRL FROM BIRCH CREEK"

In November and December we held two sneak previews for "Girl from Birch Creek."  We received standing ovations at each showing.  Our first showing was at Marcus Theaters in Oakdale.  Over 500 people attended; we gave short speeches and served appetizers and popcorn, of course.  The film was extremely well received and comments were wonderful!!!  The second showing was at William Mitchell College of Law and we were so happy that Justice Rosalie Wahl and family members were able to attend.

Victory!!!!

John Kaul and Me with Dave Kelliher from the Minnesota Historical Society

Anne Carayon, a very early supporter of the film and me

Emily Haddad speaking at William Mitchell College of Law

Justice Rosalie Wahl cheered by audience

In January, we showed the film to a gathering of Minnesota Women Lawyers and students from William Mitchell College of Law.  The response was wonderful, and the panel of women judges and lawyers moderated by Lori Sturdevant shared many insights and great stories about women's struggle for equality in the judicial system.

Panelists speak on women's rights

Supreme Court Justice Wilhelmina Wright and me after the showing