SPENCER PRIDE
Coming Fall 2024
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“This is so important and timely given the polarized world we live in. It will debunk a lot of the stereotypes about rural communities.”
- Jeffrey Wolin, photographer / educator
SPENCER PRIDE is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Independent Documentary.
All donations are tax-deductible and will be recognized in the film credits and website.
All donations are tax-deductible and will be recognized in the film credits and website.
Synopsis
Welcome to Spencer, Indiana — smallest town in America with a Pride Center, where volunteers and allies have come together to build a thriving space for the rural LGTBTQ community — and along the way, helping to revitalize the town. This film tells their story. It's also the story of Spencer, a historic town that fell on hard times, but now on the rebound. At a time when the country seems so divided, this is a hopeful story from the heartland that shows how Americans can work together to make their town better.
Welcome to Spencer, Indiana — smallest town in America with a Pride Center, where volunteers and allies have come together to build a thriving space for the rural LGTBTQ community — and along the way, helping to revitalize the town. This film tells their story. It's also the story of Spencer, a historic town that fell on hard times, but now on the rebound. At a time when the country seems so divided, this is a hopeful story from the heartland that shows how Americans can work together to make their town better.
Distribution & Impact
Making the film is just the beginning....
Making the film is just the beginning....
- Theatrical premiere (at the historic Tivoli Theatre in Spencer)
- Film festivals (focus: documentaries, rural regions, and LGBTQ+ festivals)
- Community Engagement: Events at schools, conferences and other orgs
- PBS and/or global streaming platforms
- Study guides for teachers and community partners
- Permanent exhibit at the Spencer Pride CommUnity Center
“Will shine a light on LGBTQ+ folks in a part of the country so frequently ignored.”
-Haley Miller, journalist
Fimmakers
Mitch Teplitsky (Director-Producer) is a documentary filmmaker, Fulbright Specialist and marketing pro who tells stories that bridge cultures from the Andes to Indiana. His films have screened on PBS and at film festivals, universities and community venues worldwide. He was the first marketing director for Morgenstern’s Books in Bloomington and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. He is originally from New York City.
Charles Pearce (Creative Director) is a content producer, marketer, digital artist, and animation producer raised in Bloomington, IN. He worked in Chicago and Austin for a decade producing award-winning work before returning to his hometown in 2022. He is an AmeriCorps volunteer alumnus, founder of the Bloomington Motion Artists Group, and committee member for Constellation Stage & Screen.
And a small but mighty Indiana-based team: Lex Barrett (assistant editor) • Steve Sobiech (sound recordist) • Lessie Frazier (educational advisor) • G Angel (archival researcher) • Emelie Flower (consulting editor) • Samantha Eads (executive producer)
Mitch Teplitsky (Director-Producer) is a documentary filmmaker, Fulbright Specialist and marketing pro who tells stories that bridge cultures from the Andes to Indiana. His films have screened on PBS and at film festivals, universities and community venues worldwide. He was the first marketing director for Morgenstern’s Books in Bloomington and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. He is originally from New York City.
Charles Pearce (Creative Director) is a content producer, marketer, digital artist, and animation producer raised in Bloomington, IN. He worked in Chicago and Austin for a decade producing award-winning work before returning to his hometown in 2022. He is an AmeriCorps volunteer alumnus, founder of the Bloomington Motion Artists Group, and committee member for Constellation Stage & Screen.
And a small but mighty Indiana-based team: Lex Barrett (assistant editor) • Steve Sobiech (sound recordist) • Lessie Frazier (educational advisor) • G Angel (archival researcher) • Emelie Flower (consulting editor) • Samantha Eads (executive producer)
“Will inspire other communities to foster a more welcoming community for all.”
- Samantha Eads, nurse practitioner/educator
Partnerships (partial list)
- Center for Independent Documentary
- Center for Rural Engagement
- Constellation Stage + Screen
- The D-Word (global film network)
- Bloomington Farm Stop Collective
- Hoodox.tv ("Netflix" for Indiana docs)
- Indiana U. Dept of Gender Studies
- Indiana U. Media School
- Owen County Community Foundation
- Owen County Historical Society
- Owen Valley Winery
- Spencer Pride CommUnity Center
- Tivoli Theater
Join us!