Survival Strength Starting Over

SATURDAY | SEPTEMBER 26th | 5-9pm | Tickets $12
Presented by Peace Out Productions | Space: Entire venue

Katrina Survivors Share Their Stories in New Documentary Film

While visiting Louisiana in the spring of 2008, documentary filmmaker Patricia Federico became captivated by the Katrina stories still being told by the residents who survived the storm. Inspired by their struggles to overcome a catastrophic disaster, the loss of life, and the separation of their families, Ms Federico founded ‘peace out productions’ to create a unique and moving film based on these courageous and often harrowing experiences.  In ‘Survival Strength Starting Over’, residents take the spotlight and give their personal accounts of what happened to them before, during and after the hurricane – and of the struggles still facing them as they try to rebuild what the levee breaches destroyed.

With the voices of restaurant owners, nurses, volunteer workers, school children, firemen and other citizens who withstood the hurricane, ‘Survival Strength Starting Over’ tells the gritty stories of those who lived through the destruction of hurricane Katrina and how they will forever feel her effects.  Katrina survivors tell their own stories, in their words, from their mouths, in their homes, within their communities.

“It’s easy to forget the big stories once they stop being news,” notes Ms Federico. “’Survival Strength Starting Over’ reminds us that at the heart of all newsworthy events are real people with real lives who must pick up the pieces and move on.  The stories are painful, powerful, and thought provoking, but they are filled with a humanity and humor that illustrates the best in all of us.”

There are screenings across the country and part of all proceeds from screenings, DVD, and merchandise sales will be donated to the Community Center of St. Bernard (www.ccstb.org) to help this 501c3 non- profit organization feed, clothe and provide assistance to those who are still working to rebuild their lives and their communities on the fourth anniversary of Katrina.

There will be a screening in San Francisco on September 26 at the 111 Minna Gallery at 6pm.

The ticket cost is $12 and will be available at the door.

About peace out productions:

peace out productions was started in 2008 in Narragansett, RI by Patricia Federico, a television director with a background in news production. peace out productions is dedicated to making documentary films that create awareness and provide information to facilitate change and encourage viewers to give back to the community. peace out productions donates part of the proceeds from each film to a non-profit agency that works directly to benefit the individuals or organizations that are the subject matter of the film. For more information about peace out productions, please visit www.peaceoutproductions.net or contact Patricia Federico:  info@peaceoutproductions.net 401.932.5251 or Tab Glavin: tabglavin@gmail.com 401.569.2402

About the Community Center of St Bernard: The Community Center is a grassroots 501c3 nonprofit organization located in St Bernard Parish, at the epicenter of destruction from Hurricane Katrina. Its mission is to empower residents working to rebuild their lives and their communities by providing them with local access to the essential recovery resources they need, including food, clothes, medical care, legal aid and food stamps enrollment. For more information about the programs and services available through the Community Center and its partner agencies, please visit www.ccstb.org