by Larry Eder
This is a film clip from WinCatherine, a film being developed by Stefani L. Weiss. The nine minute clip gives one a glimpse of the amazingly inspiring life of Catherine Ndereba. I have been fortunate to see most of Catherine Ndereba’s major efforts and consider Catherine to be one of the most important women marathoners of all times, but also, a tactician over 26.2 with few peers. Check out the website, winCatherine.com, to see how you can help Stefani make this film a reality. And watch for an upcoming interview with Stefani about the importance of documentary film and women’s sports!
If you read a little farther, I have posted a letter from Stefani L. Weiss, telling readers about the film and her request for support for this superb film!
Letter from Stefani L. Weiss:
Dear Friends and Family,
I am writing to let you know about WinCatherine: The Story of Wincatherine Nyambura Ndereba, a film I am producing to bring the inspiring story of legendary Kenyan distance runner Catherine Ndereba to the world.
This has been an exciting project from the very beginning! I was in Kenya earlier this year with my cinematographer, Jon Dunham whose film Spirit of the Marathon has had great reception around the world. We filmed with Catherine and her family and spent time filming around the village where she grew up, talking with young girls about their role models and visiting some of the popular areas where Kenyan runners train. We learned a lot about how girls and women are still perceived there but also how much things have changed since Catherine was a young girl when opportunities for women were extremely limited. We found that she has become a role model for girls not only in Kenya but in the United States as well. At least in the U.S. we have Title IX, the law that assures that girls have the same opportunities as boys in sports and education; in Kenya and may other parts of the world, girls are not assured opportunities.
Approximately 85% of this project has been filmed and I am now at a crucial turning point where I need to begin the process of editing as well as travel to the remaining locations to complete filming. Given the global scope of the project, it is financially impossible to accomplish my goals without the help of others.
Of course Mr. Recession decided to make his appearance after the film was already under way making this probably the worst possible time to ask people for money, but that is just what I need to do. So I am asking YOU to help!
Why give money to WinCatherine? Well, this film is for anyone who has ever been told they can’t; for anyone who has ever been teased, for girls and women throughout the world to know that they can accomplish their goals, that they are valued members of society, that they can contribute to the elimination of poverty and for everyone else to acknowledge this; for any athlete who has struggled, for teams from first grade to the professional level to watch and be inspired by hard work and determination; for those who have faith and those who have lost it.
This documentary seeks to let every man, woman and child know that it does not matter what other people think you are supposed to do, or what role society says you must take on, it doesn’t matter how much you are ridiculed or teased or by whom, that with discipline and determination you can follow whatever dreams are in your heart and achieve whatever you set out to achieve.
I truly believe that especially when times are difficult, an inspiring film such as WinCatherine can help people in many ways and you can be a part of that!
Anything you can contribute will help! When I started on this path of fund raising, it was daunting to think of how much money is needed to produce this film but for now, the goal will be to raise $250,000 within the next 3 months so my editor can begin his work and I can pay the people who have been working so hard on the film until now. I know this may sound like a lot, but if everyone forwards this email on to the same number of people we all forward our jokes to, just think how quickly it can add up!
There are several ways to donate so you can choose what works best for you! You can donate by credit card via PayPal or by check directly to the film, or if you need the tax deduction, you can donate through our fiscal sponsor. Details can be found on the website at www.wincatherine.com/donate.html . We are also seeking corporate sponsors. If interested in corporate sponsorship, please contact us directly at [email protected] .
I greatly appreciate your support, and regardless of how much you can contribute, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you helped create a film that will speak to people across the world and inspire them to reach their goals, and of knowing that you helped me reach mine! Please visit the links below to learn more about the film and view the trailer.
www.wincatherine.com
www.wincatherine.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUdkRgaelVM
http://www.facebook.com/pages/WinCatherine-A-Documentary-on-Catherine-Ndereba-aka-Catherine-the-Great/161510660501?ref=mf
And remember, even if YOU can not help at this time, please forward this email on to your family and friends; you never know who will be able to help!
Warm Regards,
Stefani
Stefani L. Weiss
Producer/Director
Sparklinblue Productions
533 Dogwood Drive
Maple Glen, PA 19002
U.S. Cell: 215-850-0952
Kenya Cell: 0717 734 484
www.wincatherine.blogspot.com
http://vimeo.com/2469308
PS. Many companies also provide matching donations so if your company has such a program, please let me know and we can arrange for the match.
For more on the sport of athletics, please click on www.runningnetwork.com.
