At the Community Cinema Retreat with Sally Rosenthal of BETWEEN THE FOLDS

Community Cinema is the largest civic engagement program in broadcast television, featured in over 50 cities nationwide. Screenings are followed by lively panel discussions that bring together citizens, organizations and public television stations to encourage dialogue and action around important and timely social issues.None of it, however, could be possible without the support of ITVS's Regional Outreach Coordinators (ROC) and Producing Partners, who organize screenings in their local communities. Last week, ITVS invited ROC's and Producing Parters to discuss the upcoming Community Cinema season and meet with filmmakers and ITVS staff. Sally Rosenthal, executive producer of BETWEEN THE FOLDS, shares her thoughts on the experience. 

The Community Cinema retreat was another reminder how fortunate we are to be part of the ITVS family. We are even more excited about the year ahead when BETWEEN THE FOLDS, which looks at the ingenuity of some of the world's best paper folders, airs on Independent Lens and screens across the country as part of Community Cinema. I was struck by the welcoming atmosphere, and pleased to meet other filmmakers like Jim Granato and film subject Pat Spurgeon of D TOUR; for me, that's been a rewarding part of being involved with this project.

The retreat had an ideal balance of informality and structure that seemed to pull the best possible ideas from a room of creative thinkers. Community Cinema Regional Outreach Coordinators and Producing Partners are clearly informed and enthusiastic about what they do. We're thrilled our 'baby' is in such good hands. There are so many great films that don't see the light of day; we are grateful to be part of Community Cinema and have our film shown to audiences who might not otherwise have the opportunity to see it. 

- Sally Rosenthal Executive Producer, Between the Folds