by Shine Global | May 7, 2015 | new blog, Shine News
Youth participate in an arts workshop in NYC for Shine’s film Inocente. The grant from the NEA will support more workshops like these across the country.
Through its grant-making to thousands of nonprofits each year, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) promotes opportunities for people in communities across America to experience the arts and exercise their creativity.
In the second major grant announcement of fiscal year 2015, the NEA will make a $50,000 award to support Shine Global’s multi-faceted IGNITE program to extend the reach of Shine’s acclaimed documentaries and harness their power as a dynamic force for positive change across the US, especially in communities with limited access to traditional film distribution outlets.
NEA Chairman Jane Chu said, “The NEA is committed to advancing learning, fueling creativity, and celebrating the arts in cities and towns across the United States. Funding these new projects like the one from Shine Global represents an investment in both local communities and our nation’s creative vitality.”
“We deeply believe in the power of film to transform children’s lives” said Shine’s co-founder and executive director Susan MacLaury. “Shine has been working since our founding 10 years ago to ensure that our films have an impact. This grant from the NEA will support us expanding these efforts and inspiring even more audiences through the power of film.”
The main elements of Shine’s IGNITE outreach and engagement program include: 1) Community film screenings and complementary workshops designed with partner organizations for youth; 2) Free, standards-based curricula designed to enable teachers to integrate film in the classroom while building their students’ critical thinking skills; and 3) A social action template that empowers viewers to advocate for change.
Shine Global aims to schedule more screenings of our films, including the Academy Award®-winning Inocente, The Harvest (La Cosecha), and 1 Way Up, beginning in September 2015. Any communities or organizations interested in learning more about how they can bring Shine’s films to their community can contact info@shineglobal.org.
The $50,000 grant from NEA must be matched by Shine from other fundraising sources. Please consider supporting our work by making a tax-deductible contribution today.
by Shine Global | Mar 9, 2015 | News, Shine News
Shine Global’s most recent documentary 1 Way Up is now available to stream on Netflix in the US, UK, and Canada.
From first time director Amy Mathieson, 1 Way Up is the story of Quillan Isidore and Tre Whyte, two teen boys on the road to the BMX World Championships. They hope to escape one of the toughest gang neighborhoods in London with the only thing they have – a bike. Defying the stereotypes of “black boys in hoods” and the media portrayal of Peckham, they race to the top of the BMX ranks and off the streets. The film follows Tre, Quillan, and their coach CK Flash’s preparation, race victories and defeats, and their interactions with family and friends, all leading up to the World Championships. The film features a pulsating soundtrack of spoken-word and rap vignettes from musicians including UK rap artist Phreeda Sharp plus animated illustrations and archival footage of Peckham’s past.
1 Way Up was released in London theaters in the summer of 2014 with broadcasts following in the UK on MTV UK and in the US on Pivot Tv and was recently nominated for a Screen Nation Award for Independent Spirit Film Production. The filmmakers are especially proud of the impact the film has had so far on increasing awareness of the power of sports and spurring investment in youth sports activities in communities. For example, clips from the film were shown to a local council that was hesitant to build a BMX track in their borough but, according to the local commissioner, the film convinced them otherwise and they voted to approve the new track which opened in summer 2014 and is open to all youth in the London borough.
The producers at Shine Global also partnered with The LAMP, a NYC non-profit that teaches media literacy to youth, teachers, and parents in NY, to create companion workshops that help youth audiences to creatively delve deeper into the issues presented in the film while learning critical media literacy skills. Organizations, teams, and community groups can license the film to host a screening in their own community – the workshop instructions are included at no extra cost. To learn more about hosting a screening in your community visit 1wayup.com/host-a-screening
In addition to watching the film, you can help support 1 Way Up by:
1. Rating the movie on Netflix
2. Adding it to your queue/watch list
3. Telling us what you thought of the movie by filling out this short survey
4. Sharing the link on social media so more people find out about the movie
Not sure what to say? Here are some examples:
Check out the amazing doc @1WayUpMovie on #Netflix bit.ly/1wayupNetflix #KeepOnRiding
Amazing #BMX racing and inspirational story in @1WayUpMovie on #Netflix now! bit.ly/1wayupNetflix #KeepOnRiding
by Shine Global | Nov 25, 2014 | Shine News
Shine’s latest film 1 Way Up is now available for pre-order on iTunes in the US, Canada and the UK and will premiere on Pivot TV in the US Wednesday, December 3rd at 7pm ET/4pm PT.
After a successful UK premiere of 1 Way Up in London Cinemas and a broadcast on MTV UK in August, 1 Way Up is coming to US audiences! From first time director Amy Mathieson, 1 Way Up tells the story of two teen boys on the road to the BMX World Championships. They hope to escape one of the toughest gang neighborhoods in London with the only thing they have – a bike.
1 Way Up will premiere in the US on Pivot TV Wednesday, December 3rd at 7pm ET/4pm PT. Pivot is Participant Media’s new cable network that focuses on entertainment that sparks conversation, inspires change, and illuminates issues through engaging content. Check find.pivot.tv to see what channel Pivot is for your television provider.
“We are thrilled that 1 Way Up has found a home in the US on Pivot TV” said 1 Way Up producer and Shine Global co-founder Albie Hecht, “Pivot’s commitment to engaging and pro-social content fits with Shine’s mission of making films that promote action and inspire change and we know the film will be reaching a passionate audience.”
Set in Peckham, an area of London known for youth gang activity, 1 Way Up demonstrates that with the right support and determination, sports can be an escape from a violent life on the streets. This documentary focuses on the friendly rivalry between two young boys, Tre and Quillan, as they give their hearts to the track in hopes of becoming a BMX World Champion. Despite peer pressure, losses and errors, 1 Way Up defies stereotypes, highlights friendly competition, and most importantly shows that there is always another road to take in life.
Shine Global is also making the film available for community screenings across the US and UK so that organizations, teams, and clubs can watch the film together. Shine has partnered with the non-profit organization The LAMP to create companion workshops for these community screenings that will help youth audiences delve into the issues presented in the film while developing critical media skills. 1 Way Up is also available for schools, universities, and libraries through the Cinema Guild and Shine will be releasing a free companion standards-based curricula to help teachers use the film in the classroom.
Pre order on iTunes here: http://bit.ly/1WayUpiTunes
Official film website: www.1wayup.com
For media enquires:
Alexandra Blaney
alexandra@shineglobal.org
T. 646-535-6703
by Shine Global | Aug 6, 2014 | News, Shine News
We are thrilled to announce 1 Way Up will be broadcast on MTV UK this Sunday, August 10th at 9pm so make sure to tune in and to record to watch again!
MTV’s The Wrap Up says “With a perfectly fitting soundtrack by up and coming female rapper Phreeda Sharp, this inspirational film will have audiences rooting for the Peckham club’s success knowing what the boys have gone through to make it as far as they do.”
So make sure to tune in and see what everyone is talking about and be sure to share with friends!
Directed by first time director Amy Mathieson, 1 Way Up in 3D tells the story of Tre and Quillan, two teenage boys on the road to the BMX World Championships. They hope to escape one of the toughest gang neighborhoods in London with the only thing they have – a bike. This breathtaking sports action documentary features a pulsating soundtrack of spoken-word and rap vignettes. 1 Way Up in 3D premiered July 11th at the PeckhamPlex Cinema in London followed by screenings at several Picturehouse Cinemas across the city. It will be out in the US this fall.
The official soundtrack album is on iTunes featuring sounds from the film including Phreeda Sharp, bassDrumsnareDrum, AKS, and more! The official music video of the title track “1 Way Up” by Phreeda Sharp feat. Nefera and produced by bassDrumsnareDrum is on YouTube.
by Shine Global | Jul 17, 2014 | Events, Shine News
After an amazing red carpet premiere event at the PeckhamPlex Cinema, 1 Way Up in 3D is now available for anyone in the London area to see!
Directed by first time director Amy Mathieson, 1 Way Up in 3D tells the story of Tre and Quillan, two teenage boys on the road to the BMX World Championships. They hope to escape one of the toughest gang neighborhoods in London with the only thing they have – a bike. This breathtaking sports action documentary features a pulsating soundtrack of spoken-word and rap vignettes.
The official soundtrack album is on iTunes featuring sounds from the film including Phreeda Sharp, bassDrumsnareDrum, AKS, and more! See the official music video of the title track “1 Way Up” by Phreeda Sharp feat. Nefera and produced by bassDrumsnareDrum on YouTube here And read this blog post from muscian AKS on why he decided to become involved in 1 Way Up with his song “House Called Home.”
“I’ve helped in some small way to change the perception of young men, brothers of mine, who come from an area just like mine and deserved for the world to know about them” – AKS
What people are saying about 1 Way Up in 3D
- “1 Way Up is more than just a BMX documentary, it’s a story of overcoming obstacles and keeping going.” – MTV News interview with Tre, Quillan, and CK
- London Evening Standard article on the film reports that Mayor Boris Johnson said that BMX could be “a real force for good” in helping boost the health and self-esteem of young Londoners.
- read the Sunday Times article “Kids make a two-wheeled escape from gangland” on the film and Peckham BMX club.
- And the Guardian’s article “Peckham: where BMX stars are made“
- “Brilliant, Billy Elliot on a bike!” – student audience member in Clapham
- “Loved it, made me want to follow my dreams!” – student audience member in Clapham
- “So inspirational, I will tell my friends to watch this!” – student audience member in Clapham
