Dear Friends,

For over three decades, I've had the privilege of sharing the stories of unsung heroes through my films, hoping to inspire change and positively impact communities worldwide. 

From international platforms like the United Nations and the Pentagon to heartfelt local screenings, these documentaries have aimed to be more than just films—they strive to be catalysts for social good. 

I am excited to share updates on the impact of my past films, including World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements, Seats at the Table, and The Holistic Life Foundation, below. 

As we reflect on these achievements, I humbly invite you to support my latest project, A Bridge to Life, and my continued mission of storytelling for a better world. 

World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements

When I first observed John Hunter with his students, it was immediately clear that his connection with them needed to be captured on film. John's dedication and the inspiring community he fostered in his classroom were too powerful to keep to ourselves.

At the time, John was just a local teacher. However, everything changed when we sent the trailer to TED. They were so moved by it that they invited John to speak at the national TED conference, which brought his incredible work to the world stage.

Our film, World Peace and Other Fourth-Grade Achievements, premiered at South by Southwest in 2010. Public television across the U.S. embraced the film, with 95% of stations airing it. The World Peace Game, a geopolitical simulation that challenges children as young as 10 to navigate global crises, is at the heart of the film. Watching these young minds collaborate, problem-solve, and strive for world peace is nothing short of inspiring.

John went on to form his own foundation, and It’s been a joy supporting him along the way. The game has now been played in over 40 countries, including a recent session in Israel that brought together Palestinian and Israeli children. Additionally, I am excited to share that the first game for Ukrainian children will be held this fall. 

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project, specifically, the Family Foundation of Dave and Jane Matthews – the Horton Foundation Fund – whose funding helped me complete the film.  I also want to thank Ann Doerr whose contribution helped support the outreach of the film and Brad Martin, the founder of the Martin Institute for Teaching Excellence, who played a huge role in partnering with John Hunter and myself in helping the World Peace Game go around the world.

Seats at the Table

Seats at the Table follows a unique college class led by UVA Lecturer Andrew Kaufman where university students and prisoners from a maximum-security juvenile facility come together to discuss Russian literature. Through these discussions, they break down stereotypes, form deep connections, and gain a profound understanding of each other’s lives.

Seats at the Table has always aimed to spark important conversations about higher education in our correctional system. We are currently partnering with Listen Out Loud Media to bring the film to schools, prisons, and policymakers to advocate for higher education opportunities within our correctional system. 

In 2021, Dr. Kaufman founded Connected Education LLC, an educational consultancy that helps teachers across the country create Books Behind Bars-type learning experiences for their own students. 

Between 2020 and 2022, 185 stations, covering over 74% of the US population, committed to airing Seats at the Table, with many stations showing the film multiple times. I am happy to share that Seats at the Table is currently streaming on PBS.

I am incredibly grateful for the support that has brought this film to life and allowed it to reach such a wide audience – especially the Horton Foundation Fund, whose generous contributions made the completion of the film possible.

Holistic Life Foundation

The Holistic Life Foundation: Breathing Love Into a Community is a short film portraying the work of the three founders of the Holistic Life Foundation, who have dedicated their lives to bringing the benefits of mindfulness and meditation to the inner-city neighborhood in Baltimore. This documentary, which was only made possible by the generous support of Maria Kluge, has been instrumental in advancing the mission of the Holistic Life Foundation (HLF).

As Andres Gonzalez from HLF recently shared with me, "To this day, we still use clips of the film at keynotes and trainings to get our message out to others." Andres has shared that the film beautifully portrays their work and mission, helping HLF spread the word about their organization and expand. 

Over the years, HLF has offered yoga and mindfulness training to about 100,000 youths and adults, with training initiatives reaching as far as Africa. 

A Bridge to Life 

When I met William Washington, founder of the Bridge Ministry, I immediately knew his story had to be shared to inspire others. His dedication to transforming the lives of those facing addiction and incarceration through love, compassion, and genuine connection demonstrated a powerful alternative to the punitive approach of imprisonment.

Since completing A Bridge to Life, our mission has been twofold: shine a light on the transformative work of the Bridge Ministry – which boasts a remarkable recidivism rate of under 5% compared to the national 80% – and inspire communities across the country to create similar life-changing programs.

As our country grapples with a critical drug addiction crisis, we champion a compassionate solution focused on rehabilitation over incarceration. Our goal is to change the lives of our addicted brothers and sisters, showing that overcoming trauma, not imprisonment, is the key to breaking the cycle.

We are bringing the film to communities and legislators across the U.S. to show how building more bridges leads to fewer jails and better community outcomes. 

We are also partnering with Listen Out Loud Media to bring the film to schools, prisons, policymakers, and local and national groups. Recently, we connected with prison tech providers to make the film accessible for incarcerated individuals. These collaborations not only promote education and rehabilitation within correctional facilities but also foster empathy and understanding outside them, bridging gaps in societal engagement and reintegration efforts.

Creating social impact depends on the generosity of donors who share our vision. To sustain our social impact efforts through 2025, I need to raise at least $60,000. 

If you are interested in donating to A Bridge to Life, the Film Collaborative, a 501(c)(3) organization, has agreed to be the project's fiscal sponsor, making all contributions tax-deductible charitable donations. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Please consider supporting this project.
You can find information on this project on the A Bridge to Life website through this link: https://abridgetolife.com/ 

Finally, I would like to thank the Virginia Film Festival, the Global Peace Film Festival, the United Nations Association Film Festival, and the Richmond International Film Festival, along with other festivals who have helped launch my films out to the world.

As many of you might be aware, I am dealing with a tough time as I have a medical disability, ALS. However, I am truly blessed to have such a loving and wonderful wife, Jacqueline, along with a supportive family and amazing friends.

I am greatly uplifted by the inspiring work of the subjects of my films as they work to make a better world by positively affecting so many people’s lives. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you again for your support. Let’s keep making a difference together. 

Sincerely,

Chris Farina
Rosalia Films