The Kivalina Project
Logline
When your island is being swallowed by the sea, climate change isn't about "going green," but about survival- for the people of Kivalina Alaska, time is running out.
Gina Abatemarco - Director
Gina Abatemarco is a writer and director of documentary and narrative films. She studied Film and Television at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she co-founded The Fusion Film Festival, the first student-run festival celebrating the work of women filmmakers in the United States. Abatemarco continues to serve as the festival’s mentor as it continues in its sixth year. She has also served as director Brian De Palma's assistant. Abatemarco is the recipient of the 2008 Berlinarle’s Berlin Today Award and the Richard Vague/Christopher Columbus Filmmaker Grant for her current documentary The Kivalina Project. At the 2009 Berlinale, Abatemarco received a Special Mention for My Super Sea Wall, the short predecessor to the full-length documentary to come.
Anne Takahashi - Producer
Upon graduation from NYU's Film and Television program, Anne turned to producing, working on several festival-acclaimed films, as well as fiction and documentary content for web and television. Her experience includes working for Kino International, Killer Films and Merchant Ivory Productions. In 2008, Anne signed on to become a co-producer on The Kivalina Project. The Kivalina Project is her third film collaboration with director Gina Abatemarco.
Anna Wendt - Producer
Anna Wendt is a producer of both fiction and documentary films for cinema and television, and founder of Anna Wendt Filmproduktion in Berlin, which works with filmmakers and film industry professionals both in Europe and around the globe. In 2008, Wendt began her collaboration with director Gina Abatemarco and co-producer Anne Takahashi on The Kivalina Project.
Most of us will never have to face the loss of land and extinction of culture. Although we cannot change the climate, we can record the battle the residents of Kivalina are fighting. Their story will pass along an invaluable message, if we can change our current paths.
