USA Projects

Freedom & Unity: The Vermont Movie is a first-of-its kind collaborative documentary film series, created by a group of critically acclaimed Vermont filmmakers. Since Vermont declared itself an independent republic in 1777, it has been a beacon for courageous decisions about political and cultural issues. Vermont has consistently contributed to the global discourse, from being the first state to outlaw slavery, to the first state to allow gays and lesbians to enter into civil unions.

Project Director Nora Jacobson is joined by over two-dozen filmmakers, plus cinematographers, editors, archivists, animators and composers. Vermont’s motto, Freedom & Unity, was chosen as the title, not only because it hints at the intriguing, and at times controversial themes of this project, but it also reflects our working process. Our filmmakers were encouraged to tell the story they wanted, and express it in their own individual cinematic voice, now being woven into a unified film.

For the past six years, we have put our heart and soul into this project. Many hours have  been spent researching, shooting, editing and convening to revise and review each other’s work. Production is winding down now and we are close to completing the final cut of the 5-part series. We’ve launched this campaign to raise all the funds we need to finish.

Why now? In this election season, many of us are asking ourselves what are the values that are most important to us? We felt that by examining our state where—despite occasional stumbles—citizens can participate in their communities and make decisions at town meeting, we could offer an intimate and inspiring look at citizen participation and life lived on a local level. In this multi-part film, we tell the stories of the people, places and events that helped shape Vermont’s independent spirit and tradition of grassroots democracy. How is a state's identity created? How does the past inform the present?

Who will enjoy The Vermont Movie? Lovers of history, Vermont enthusiasts, film aficionados, activists, idealists, educators, students and many others. In fact, Vermont teachers are already using parts of the project. The Vermont Movie School Kit is currently being used in over 125 public schools. It contains 12 videos with material from the film and a study guide for teachers in grades 4-12.

We need to raise $55,000 to complete this project, and your contributions will directly defray the costs of post-production: We need to pay for archival footage and photo rights, sound editing, a sound mix, color-correction, titles, DVD authoring and completion of our musical score (composed by Vermont musicians!)

Your interest and support of this project is greatly appreciated. For updates and progress on our project, please check our USA Projects Project Page as well as our website www.thevermontmovie.com. We expect to premiere the film in the spring of 2013, and then take it around Vermont in our Barn-Storming Tour. Thanks, and see you then!