Hollywood’s next generation of moviemakers walked the red carpet at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland for the Kids Film It Festival on Nov. 4. It was the culmination of Hawken Middle School seventh-grader Ryan Bercu Levine’s efforts to create a film festival for children making movies while raising money for the Michael J Fox Foundation, all part of his mitzvah project.
More than 60 entries from around the country raised more than $25,000 for the Michael J Fox Foundation, which is dedicated to Parkinson’s research.
“It was really cool because even though I am just one person, it is going all the way up to a lot of fundraising and it is for Michael J Fox, who has done so many incredible things,” said Ryan, 13, of Pepper Pike.
Ivan Schwarz, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, who spoke before the winning films were announced, encouraged them to follow their passion as starting at a young age can lead to advantages as a professional. He also said more jobs exist in filmmaking today due to new technology and a demand for more content.
Liz Diemer, senior associate director for Team Fox in New York, said, “To see this come to come to fruition and to see the passion of these kids walking the red carpet and just the energy of the room, seeing their all their hard work and films on the screen is just the best. I feel so lucky to be here and to be able to support these families, and to show them the impact of what they are doing, from all of us at the Michael J Fox Foundation we are very, very grateful, it is just a really special evening.”
Ryan came up with the idea in March, trying to combine his passion for movie making with a desire to make a difference in researching a cure for Parkinson’s disease after his grandmother was diagnosed with it eight years ago.
“To see more than 100 people walk the red carpet and see their work in such an amazing environment was special. I didn't know what to expect, but this is really cool and I was so excited for everyone to see the films. It meant a lot because it was for Parkinson’s and for a great cause and I know my grandma was really proud,” Ryan said.
Ryan said his new goal is $30,000.
http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/community/community_scene/teen-s-film-festival-raises-for-parkinson-s-disease/article_4ed63aea-a5d2-11e6-ae54-8bf7295e8c73.html
No comments:
Post a Comment