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Logline

After surviving a violent attack by an anti-science extremist, a dedicated public health researcher must defend her controversial health study on a major news show. As she struggles to hold herself together, she is torn between protecting herself and fighting for the greater good.

Synopsis

Anna, a public health researcher, conducts a study that could save lives, but it’s controversial, and discussing it publicly could put her safety at risk. Despite her concerns, she agrees to speak about the study on a news show. However, things go wrong when she’s attacked by an anti-science activist on the day of the interview, which is then leaked and goes viral on social media.

As the news-show interview begins, Anna is shaken and disheveled from the attack. She tries to focus on the study, hoping to make a positive impact, but the interviewer and the audience are more interested in the attack and its aftermath. Anna feels torn between her duty to the public and her responsibility to herself and her family. This film portrays a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the personal costs of those who try to protect the public good and raises the question of whether it’s still worth it to them, even knowing the societal need.

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Meet the Filmmakers

Terra Wellington – Writer/Director/Producer

Terra Wellington is known for her creative talent and social advocacy, with over 15 years in the entertainment industry. Her creative producing and writing include the sci-fi thriller HABITABLE, the adapted feature screenplay YANKEES WEST which explores the injustices and triumphs in 1930s Los Angeles, co-creator and writer on the children’s television series PRINCESS ZARA, and over 2000 television guest segments for her work in wellness and the environment.

Terra’s works humanize female characters who struggle against the odds, stereotypes, and societal pressures. She has been recognized for her talent and contributions, including being the recipient of the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation grant, and a PGA Create Finalist for her producing of the supernatural drama television series MAGNOLIA HILL. As an accomplished actor and member of SAG-AFTRA, Terra has over 100 credits to her name, including indie films, network television, television pilots, feature films, and guest appearances. Terra currently resides in Los Angeles. More at terrawellington.com

Nina Martinek – Consulting Producer

Nina Martinek is a writer/director, originally from Australia. Her short films have screened at film festivals internationally including Sundance, LA Shorts, Mannheim/Heidelberg, Edinburgh, Vienna, Toronto Women’s Film Festival and Brooklyn Art Museum. Nina is an alumna of NYU Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Program. She has worked extensively as a documentary filmmaker in Africa for UNICEF and as a video producer/journalist for Reuters and the New York Times. Nina recently completed her debut narrative feature film Happy Birthday Charlie and is working on a documentary What We Dream. More at www.ninamartinek.com

Alexa L. Borden and Connor Cook – Composers

Alexa L. Borden and Connor Cook are an award-winning composition and singer-songwriter duo. Originally from Philadelphia, PA (Borden) and Boone, NC (Cook), both women hold an MFA in Music Composition for the Screen from Columbia College Chicago and are involved members of the Alliance of Women Film Composers (AWFC). Together they have composed music and songs for dozens of productions including films, podcasts, video games, and musical theater. Some of their most recent work includes scores for the critically acclaimed films Static Space and Balloon Animal, both currently in the festival circuit. More at lexaconmusic.com.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.