wisconsin made short film waabooz to screen at madeline island film...
TRANSCRIPT
Media Contact: Molly Katagiri [email protected]
Wisconsin Made Short Film Waabooz to Screenat Madeline Island Film Festival
Madeline Island, March, 2017 – Waabooz, a short film about a young Native comic artist whodiscovers his inner strength through a superhero rabbit of his own design, will make its localfestival debut at the Madeline Island Film Festival on Friday, July 7th, 2017 at 9:30pm.Attending the screening will be, Director Molly Katagiri, Writer Wenonah Wilms and ProducerTammy Hollingsworth.
About The Film
Waabooz is a character-driven, drama, about a boy named Rabbit and his common placestruggles. The film takes place on a reservation and the story is conveyed with the grit of realism,and a magical realism born from Rabbit's imagination. Rabbit's character progression is broughtto fruition by his Grandfather's imparting of tradition and the spiritual strength that comes withit. The thematic overtones of the film are family, culture, tradition, bullying, insecurities and thecapacity to rise above.
Twelve year-old Rabbit spends most of his days, drawing, collecting comics, and avoiding theteasing of his peers. Insecure and shy, Rabbit dreads dancing in the upcoming powwow andbegins to draw Waabooz, a superhero that embodies his desired self; bold and unafraid. Throughtraditional storytelling, imagination, and a little magic, Rabbit's mysterious Grandfather helpsbring Waabooz to life.
Actor, Saginaw Grant stars in the film as Rabbit's Grandfather. Grant has acted in more than 60films and television shows including Disney's The Lone Ranger, The World's Fastest Indian andBreaking Bad.
Mixed Media
As the script is written, Rabbit's grandfather tells the story of Waabooz in his oral tradition andwhile Rabbit daydreams, rich illustrations are brought to life in comic book format. NicolasSelma (Dark Horse Comics, Disney Jr.) illustrated the 2minute animation that plays midwaythrough the live action storyline.
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Wisconsin TiesWaabooz was filmed in Northern Wisconsin on the Red Cliff Lake Superior Chippewa IndianReservation, of which Writer, Wenonah Wilms is a tribal member. The Red Cliff tribe and thesurrounding community of Bayfield Wisconsin were heavily involved through support ofdonations, discounts, and volunteer efforts. Actors Aaricka Carlson, Curtis Gokee, and DamonDefoe, are from Red Cliff, Los Angeles based Executive Producer, Sharyn Steele is a tribalmember of the Ho-Chunk Nation in Black River Falls Wisconsin, where she grew up. Producer,Tammy Hollingsworth is from Campbellsport Wisconsin, and award winning Composer, BrentMichael Davids was born in Madison and is a tribal member and resident of the StockbridgeMohican nation of American Indians, located in Shawano County.
ProductionFilmed on the Red Cliff Lake Superior Chippewa Indian Reservation in Wisconsin, over 8 days,in Aug. and Sept. of 2015, the process of taking Waabooz from story to screen started with ascript by Wenonah Wilms followed by a film grant from The Jerome Foundation.The film shoot was also made possible due to generous financial donations raised on Indiegogoas well as donations of time, talent and artistic collaboration from an army of film volunteers andcrew members ranging from novices to seasoned industry veterans. The Red Cliff Lake SuperiorBand of Chippewa Indians were there to support and participate every step of the way. Fromgiving permission to film on the reservation, to an entire community helping to recreate apowwow, without whom this short film would not have been possible.
AwardsWaabooz premiered at Twin Cities Film Fest in October and received the Audience ChoiceAward for Best Short. Since then Waabooz picked up Audience choice awards at One NationFilm Festival in Colorado, Green Bay Film Festival, and the Sedona International Film Festival.Waabooz also received the Jury award for Best Short at One Nation Film Festival andAchievement in Animation at the LA Skins Film Festival.
Comic BookA companion comic book will be completed in the fall, along with the VOD and DVD launch.The comic book will implement Native American curriculum, using the same characters, writerand illustrator from the film. The comic book and film will be packaged for schools and willtouch on themes such as anti-bullying.
The filmmakers are interested in additional opportunities to screen Waabooz at film festivals andother appropriate screening events across the country.For details on the film Waabooz, to see the online media kit or view the film’s trailer please visitwww.waaboozmovie.comFor upcoming screenings and other news on Waabooz, like the Waabooz Movie Facebook page.
###Notes for Media:For an online, press-only opportunity to screen Waabooz please contact Molly Katagiri.Molly Katagiri, Wenonah Wilms and Tammy Hollinsworth are available for interviews viaphone, email and Skype.