FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
The Greater Philadelphia Film Office is a 501 c 3 organization and is able to serve as a Fiscal Sponsor for eligible projects.
Current Projects:
What Will Become of Us (Formerly titled A New Armenia)
100 years after the Genocide, Armenian culture is alive in the United States. But what keeps it alive? Why does it thrive? How do Armenian Americans move into the future while remaining connected to their past? This 60-minute public television (PBS) documentary will look at how culture is passed down from generation to generation, how culture changes over time, and the challenges faced in an ever-modernizing, mainstream American culture.
American Communion- Light Daughter Productions
American Communion melds intimate portraits of veterans of the US-led conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, with analysis of historical shifts in American practices of war making. Focusing on personal struggles with soldier identity, family relationships, civilian employment, and post- traumatic stress, this film sheds light on the combat veteran as a living individual, and as a cultural figure, asking critical questions about the relationship between global warfare and life on the home front.
The Art of Aviation- Rodehouse Media
The Art of Aviation is a documentary series that highlights the lives and work of aviation artists.Throughout history, wartime artists have been deployed to capture conflicts and given permission to share through their own eyes, the stories of some of the most critical moments in recorded history. They created a window into the lives of soldiers fighting while stationed all over the world. Our goal is to share some of these artists’ stories and to shed light on this field before these first-hand accounts are lost forever. Other episodes in the series will focus on US military art programs, contemporary aviation artists as well as art related to NASA and space travel.Our first episode will take a deep dive into the life and work of Gil Cohen, one of the most influential aviation artists of all time. Gil was a recent art school graduate when he was drafted into the Army and during that time, worked as an artist in military intelligence during the Cold War. After his military service he went on to pursue a successful career as an illustrator and teacher. But it was his love of history, specifically World War II and his fascination with the Mighty Eighth Air Force division that changed his trajectory forever. With a career spanning over six decades, his skill for creating paintings that depict deeply emotional moments in history sets his work apart from other artist.
Champions of Caring
Cheesesteak City, Produced by Arsenal Mediaworks
“Cheesesteak City,” a feature-length documentary, examines the city of Philadelphia, its people, and the relationship with their iconic sandwich. The story of the cheesesteak has been intertwined with that of contentious politics and intense family drama, and all the while has been a steadfast icon of the Philadelphia tourism industry. Through candid interviews, day-in-the-life and archival footage this documentary shines a light on the colorful families behind the sandwich and the quirky (and changing) city they call home. “Cheesesteak City” is not a story about meat, cheese and bread, but one of loyalty and success, betrayal and heartbreak, progress and tradition, national politics and neighborhood feuds, and most importantly, a city and its people.”
Civil War Medicine
The Civil War marked the birth of modern medicine. New, efficient weapons technology challenged medical treatments and techniques in use since the Middle Ages. A small number of physicians faced one million casualties. They created solutions to the lack of ambulances, skilled nursing care, surgical techniques and record-keeping. A huge, unprecedented civilian volunteer effort helped to heal the physical and spiritual wounds of a nation. This four-part documentary series, Civil War Medicine, adds an important chapter to the annals of American history.
Dancing Diplomats
Dancing Diplomats: A Story of Art, Identity, and Resistance
Step into the enthralling world of Dancing Diplomats, a powerful documentary that intertwines the grace of dance with the gritty reality of geopolitical conflict. This film captures the incredible journey of an American-born choreographer as he collaborates with an 85-year-old Ukrainian artist whose revolutionary choreography was blacklisted by the USSR in 1977.
Against the turbulent backdrop of a decade marked by escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, beginning in 2012 and culminating in full-scale war in 2022, Dancing Diplomats unveils the indomitable spirit of cultural resistance. This evocative documentary delves deep into the heart of Ukraine’s struggle, revealing how the country’s national identity has been continuously undermined by Moscow’s persistent attempts at cultural appropriation.
Through the lens of personal stories and national pride, Dancing Diplomats explores the delicate dance between politics and culture. Witness the intimate and emotional battle of Ukrainians as they fight to reclaim their heritage and assert their identity in the face of oppression. This film is a testament to the power of art as a form of diplomacy, resilience, and defiance.
Dancing Diplomats is not just a documentary; it is a tribute to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond between art and freedom.
A film by Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Henry Nevison.
Our international drama DREAMS OF STARLIGHT tells the story of Saran, a young Mongolian herdswoman who flees her abusive relationship to pursue her passion for performing – only to see her longtime Hollywood dreams realized by her daughter. It’s a universal story of courage, hope, and perseverance for a modern-day, global audience, slated to shoot in Mongolia, Guam, and Southern California.
The Fourth Wall series is a love letter to the lives of actors. The series takes us behind the scenes into the dramatic, comedic, romantic, and emotional lives of performers and other artisans working in the world. Season two of The Fourth Wall highlights the struggles performers and creatives went through during the pandemic. These stories are told through small vignettes that will all be intertwined and depict different struggles of life during the pandemic highlighting Zoom, Tik Tok and Youtube as the new normal for creatives.
Let’s Get Arrested Again! The George Lakey Documentary
From the age of 12, George Lakey has boldly faced the uneasy.
“In my heart of hearts, I’m a rebel . . . I’m healthiest, most creative and productive when I’m in touch with my rebel self.”
The documentary presents the life and work of this rebel nonviolent revolution activist, a deeply spiritual man who has been guided in life by his ideal of societal transformation.
Our film will move back and forth in time, highlighting specific events of George’s activist life – including building the movement against the Vietnam war, LGBTQ actions, Peace Brigades in Sri Lanka and the more recent Earth Quaker Action Team’s campaign against PNC bank for financing mountaintop removal coal mining. These events/actions will reveal the universal truths of his message and show how we can apply learnings from the past to the actions today, despite our current polarized society.
From White Lyte Productions, the team that brought you the documentary Bazaar of All Nations, this film will follow the historical significance of Baltimore Pike as a major thoroughfare from colonial times through the modern era, focusing on the section known as The Golden Mile. Memorable destinations such as “Playtown Park”, “Charlie’s Hamburgers”, “The Alpine Inn”, “The Fireside Hearth”, “Strawbridge and Clothier” as well as other early car dealerships, restaurants, and shops will be covered.
Homecoming, a 20-minute short family drama, explores self-autonomy by examining the dynamic between a victory-hungry dance coach, Amber, and her prodigy daughter, Phoebe. After separating from her family to attend college, Phoebe realizes she has been living in her mother’s shadow. As Phoebe begins questioning her intentions, she discovers she does not have the drive or motivation to be a dancer outside of wanting to meet the expectations that have been set for her. The film begins after Phoebe is suspended from a prestigious dance academy. Now, she must return home to confront her confusion, her disappointed family, and her tendency to numb out of reality through substances.
The Pillow Snake
In the turbulent final months of high school, five teenagers navigate a web of fractured loyalties, buried secrets, and unchecked rage in a decaying small-town landscape. When their close-knit group—The 3rd Rail—collides with rivals and former allies, simmering tensions erupt into acts of violence with irreversible consequences.
Four years later, the spirit of their dead Black classmate returns, forcing them to confront the roles they played in a fateful betrayal that shattered lives and exposed deep divides. Spanning years and perspectives, The Pillow Snake is a raw exploration of guilt, revenge, and the elusive search for redemption in the face of tragedy.
We call it a tale of racism that tests the limits of forgiveness.
Reel Talk Philly is an organization designed to create opportunities in a growing Philadelphia community. Everything we do has that intention at the forefront. The hope is to bring together people across all experiences levels and backgrounds and give them a space to foster connections with other creatives in the industry, all while experiencing an enjoyable happy hour! We host monthly networking events for the film, tv and content creation industry of Philadelphia on the first Friday of each month! We are always looking for more ways to engage with the community and create networking opportunities that are beneficial and enjoyable.
Studio Jams is a creative, up-close and inside look at the art of making music. It’s a program that is dedicated to presenting interesting and innovative music education. Each episode of Studio Jams features a diverse group of talented jazz and blues musicians, gathered together in a recording studio for the sole purpose of creating fresh, new music. Many are working with one another for the very first time. Viewers watch them rehearse and perform fresh, new material – totally on the spot. Musicians at each session are some of the best in the business…world-class artists, many with strong national and/or international appeal.
This Isn’t Working
This Isn’t Working follows early twenty-year-olds who are discovering their identities and how love and relationships play into who they are as people. Our main character, Jaden, is a lovesick puppy who hopes to find a partner because love will fix his life. However, as the series develops, he and his friends will come to realize that love isn’t something that magically fixes everything that is wrong with you and your life. Seeking a relationship or validation from people leads to further destruction, and an internalized self-loathing won’t be satiated by another person telling you that you have value.
Taking a cynical approach to the typical Rom-Com format, the main characters do a lot more chasing and failing, going through different dates and interactions, rather than immediately working out romantically with someone. The series takes inspiration from movies like Saltburn, 500 Days of Summer, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Video Store Suicide
WHAT’S IN A NAME? (One-hour TV documentary)- Kuyamba Media
In an imaginative one-man show, a theater artist examines his bittersweet South Philadelphia upbringing. Offstage, he embraces a new life as father and husband, determined to give his son a secure foundation. However, contradictions from his childhood nip at his peace of mind. He feels compelled to make sense of the divergent paths blazed by the men in his family—from Jim Crow South to South Philadelphia business empire, incarceration to Islam, and streets to spotlight. Producers: Malkia K. Lydia and Khalil A. M. R. Munir.
What is a Black Man? is the intimate story of Alex, Michael, Uriah, and Clinton, four African-American teenage friends living in inner-city Philadelphia working mindfully to create their own definitions of who they are and who they will become amidst continued controversial portrayals of Black men. Working multiple hours a day writing and producing music, they aspire to become mainstream hip-hop artists without having to compromise their racially and socially conscious message. Their bond deepens as they learn of each other’s struggle with complex family dynamics, mental illness, financial difficulties, and internal doubt. When conflict among them arises, they learn to put aside their differences to overcome their struggles and challenge the current state of hip-hop to continue making the conscious music they have committed themselves to. This feature-length documentary intimately captures the reality of chasing a dream while grappling the effects of living in an inner-city.
PAST PROJECTS:
America’s First D-Day
American Law Journal
The American Worker
Alice Blue Gown
Awesome Fest
Badland
The Battle of Henry Johnson
Beethoven in Beijing
Before Hollywood
Between New York and Tennessee: The Irish Pub
Bucks County, USA
Building a Park in the Sky
Cellular Aftershocks
Che Revisited
Clouded
The Computer Wore Heels
Coppermise
Cost of Hunger
Dante’s Paradise
Dark Forest
Digital Dharma
DYI
Family of Too Many
First Day Back
Frank Sinatra Walks at Midnight
Future Weather
The Great Flip Off
Gooch
Grief Rounds
Haenyeo
Hell of a View
Hell or High Seas
Hero Next Door
Higher Grounds
History Making Productions
I Believe in the Devil
In the Cold Dark Night
Jamie Wyeth
Journey to Sanctuary
Korean Cultural Foundation
Kinderwald
Lebanon
The Lost Fort
Luminary
The Magic South
Medical Symposium
Metronome
Mona Lisa is Missing: The True Story of the Man Who Stole the Masterpiece
Muñe (Previously titled AYAYAY)
Nineteen Steps
No Prisoners
Over The Bridge
The Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival
Philadelphia Film Society
The Philadelphia Latino Film Festival
Philly Gun Fights
Philly Pop Music
The Philo Project
Return Safely
Ride To Die
Thank You for the Opportunity
The Road to Jericho
Shot and a Beer
Simmer
Sleep Demon
Small Wonder
Somebody’s Fool
Sound Heard Round the World
Squatter
Sung’s Pilgrims
Taking Orders
Thank you for the Opportunity
The World Takes
These Will Just Be Places
To Orbit Around a Dying Star
Top Secret Rosies
Uncommitted
The Unschooled
Vamos Gustavo
War is Never Civil
Workforce
Wyeth