Preparing for GENX Fall Launch

Hi y’all it has been a minute.

What’s going on with everything? Here’s a table of content, feel free to skip.

• Final steps of GENX edit

  • Final interview - Laura Bransford

  • Fall release schedule - late September

• Future of ethereal films

  • Office → New Studio

  • Our Future

Laura is a firefighter from Wilmington, North Carolina who has been a powerhouse of advocacy locally and nationally. She is part of a special task force within the IAFF to use advocacy to make firefighters safer and better supported. She is also a complete badass who we met in part, because she was a core leader in the fight to provide free cancer screenings for all county firefighters AND to find PFAS-free alternatives to daily station gear. We are honored to spotlight her efforts and grateful for the time she gave us. Our UNC Summer intern, Rou Yu, joined for this shoot as a Camera Operator and assistant director. They are currently working with me on a short film focusing more on Laura, which we will share soon.

Early October is our target for the first screenings of GenX. At first, these will be University and community partner events. We think the format of viewing is crucial to this story, so we are creating a campaign that centers EVENTS for screenings, not just showing up to watch something.

I have been working intensely on building our system and dashboard to do this, with extensive support coming from our outreach team: Ava, Rou Yu, Lizzie and I.

We have 3 more stages of final edit + feedback, which leaves last comments for trusted allies, producer, and expert review for final fact checking before the last polishes. This means any remaining screenings are the final film, woo!

It’s been a longer road than expected which I think comes from just how many people are invested in this issue. We recognize we can only tell some portion of this story and appreciate the many generous folks who have worked with us over the years.

Last month we left our office in downtown Hillsborough, our home of 3 years.

It was bittersweet, but ultimately I think the best decision.

I’ve transitioned to a new studio I built over the last year as we consider what the future should look like for Ethereal Films as an organization. After GENX and THE BOWL (which releases on PBS later this year) are released, we are making a big change.

Meaning we will work as a hired team for productions and as consultants for fundraising, events and outreach. This has been a very unique 9 years, but I have realized that I need more direct time working with people on a regular basis. Projects that get me out in the community and helping awesome people and organizations often are what I would like to focus my energy on, instead of long-form pieces.

I do have a few passion projects I’ll be releasing in the near future including

• A documentary about ADULT BRACES

• A documentary about MICROBIOME REPLACEMENT THERAPY

• A documentary about CHRONIC BACK PAIN

At least for now - if you want to hire us, feel free to get in touch.

We’re best with non-profits or impact focused companies.

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See y’all soon at our upcoming screenings!