Two Films, One Purpose: A Dual Documentary Screening for Awareness

**Each screening will include Breasts Not Included, Breasts Not Required, and Delivering While Black. Filmmaker talkback to follow each screening.

Running time: 6 minutes

Synopsis: Award-winning autobiographical short film about a mastectomy journey. And the questions that follow about how to define beauty, femininity and strength. Produced by ArtPeers and Dance In The Annex (DITA).

Note: This content is not suitable for under 18 without parental permission including brief female nudity that may be upsetting to younger viewers.

Running time: 32 minutes

Film Synopsis: Award winning short documentary and companion film to Breasts Not Included. Eight women tell their mastectomy stories, and challenge societal expectations for reconstruction. Along the way, they expose the health issues, breast implant industry and problematic policies that create harm. Produced by ArtPeers.

Note: This content is not suitable for under 18 including brief female undity that may be upsetting to younger viewers.

Hannah Sullivan, Executive Producer: Hannah is a Michigan-based clinical social worker with Grand Rapids Specialty Therapy, adjunct faculty at Hope College Department of Dance, and a dance artist/choreographer who has collaborated on a number of award-winning films with Artpeers and Dance in the Annex with showings across the globe. She writes, "This project started 16 months ago when I got in front of Seth's camera to leave a journal entry 2 weeks before my mastectomies. We didn't know if or how we would use the footage, but it felt important to capture that moment. 11 months later we returned to the camera, and I was joined by 7 amazing women to tell our stories. It's a privilege to work on these films -- both in front of the camera and behind the scenes."

Seth Thompson, Director/Editor: Seth is known for a multidisciplinary skill set that collides when creating films and stills. He's particularly gifted at capturing raw, emotional moments and that strength follow through these documentaries in a powerful way. Seth is a Michigan-based photographer, cinematographer, musician, music producer, podcaster who has directed and collaborated on many Artpeers & Dance in the Annex - DITA films. He has additionally scored films in collaboration with other musicians. Seth has a Bachelor's in Art from University of Wisconsin and a Masters in interdisciplinary Art from Columbia College Chicago. By day, he's a commercial photographer/filmmaker at Green Frog, and on nights and weekends, you'll likely still find him at the studio making loud music.

Running time: 28 minutes

Film Synopsis: There are stark and undeniable differences in maternal and infant outcomes between Black birthing people and White birthing people in the USA. Delivering While Black is a short documentary focused on Birth Justice in Grand Rapids, MI. These statistics are more than just numbers, these are real lives impacted and unjustly lost due to systemic and institutionalized racism. The title Delivering While Black is a nod to the concept of driving while Black. For those unfamiliar with this terminology, driving while Black refers to the type of racial profiling that can cost Black motorist their lives. Decades of research highlights similar trends amongst Black birthing people in the USA. The fear of entering the healthcare system and dying secondary to being dismissed and disregarded is a real reality faced by Black birthing people all over the nation. Thank you for making time to hear the stories, suggestions, and lived experiences of our local subject matter experts. This documentary was created to bring awareness, offer insights, and hopefully help provide support for those who are Delivering While Black.

Amanda Rostic, MPH: I am a classically trained scientist with a heart for advocacy and a passion for storytelling. I have spent the past 17 years of my life working in the healthcare industry. It is an honor to advocate for and serve patients. Because of my experiences I have developed a desire to amplify patient voices via storytelling. Equipped with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, combined with a Master of Public Health and Epidemiology, I set out to impact the world using sound science as my instrument for creation. I woke up one day and felt compelled to tell a story through film. I directed and produced my first documentary in 36 days. I look forward to sharing more equity stories through film.

Also check out other Entertainment events in Kalamazoo, Arts events in Kalamazoo, Music events in Kalamazoo.