Dawn Young and Jon Pousette-Dart Featured in Columbia Journal

Recently, Dawn and Jon Pousette-Dart were interviewed for an article for the Columbia Journal called, “Get Real: More Than the Title of a Song.” Written by Carla Stockton, who writes a semi-weekly piece about life in Manhattan for the Columbia University publication, “Catch and Release.” it features some great information on all of Dawn and Jon’s history, as well as new projects that are on the way.

Read the write up here: (http://catchandrelease.columbiajournal.org/?p=4466)

Ms. Stockton, nonfiction editor of Issue #53, is a lifelong on-and-off New Yorker, who, after living for 13 years in exile in the southwest desert, brings a returnee’s perspective to the city. As a fully licensed sightseeing guide, she has a particular intimacy with the area and is never reluctant to share it with others. Carla’s semi-weekly column will discuss people, places and events in and around Manhattan. Follow her here.

“Who I Am” Wins Best Music Video at The Columbia Gorge International Film Festival

In addition to winning “Best Music Video” at the Golden Egg Film Festival, Jon Pousette-Dart’s Music video for “Who I Am,” directed by Dawn Young, has won “Best Music Video” at the Columbia Gorge International Film Festival.

Chronicling the disease of Alzhiemer’s, “Who I Am” visually and sonically illustrates the challenges that are associated with loved ones whom are struggling from its depths.

Additionally, two new official selections for “Who I Am” in upcoming film festivals are LaFemme International Film Festival in Los Angeles and Silent River Film Festival in Irvine, California. Both festivals will take place concurrently on Oct 16-20 in the Los Angeles area.

“Who I Am” WINS Best Music Video at the Golden Egg Film Festival!

*Update 11/17/14* – The music video for “Who I Am” has WON “Best Music Video” at the Golden Egg Film Festival! Congratulations to everyone who was involved for all their hard work and dedication to the production of this video!

Our music video of the song “Who I Am”   http://wp.me/ptiX7-8o  written by Jon Pousette-Dart, Jaime Kyle and myself and performed by Jon and Jaime. It has been selected to be screened at the Golden Egg Film Festival on May 4nd, 2014 in Cancun, Mexico! Check out our nomination in the nominations section on the Golden Egg Film Festival website —–>http://goldeneggfilmfestival.com/index.php

“Who I Am” music video screens in 2 more festivals!

Our music video “Who I Am” on the subject of Alzheimer’s disease sung by Jon Pousette-Dart and Jaime Kyle will be screening at the BostonFilmFest  in their Shorts Program 1,  Saturday, October 26  at 12 noon,  in Theater 1 at the Revere Hotel,

Also on the schedule for “Who I Am”  http://bit.ly/1dkDkDa       is a screening at the Big Apple Film Festival in New York City  Thursday, November 7th,  9:30PM  as part of the group Short doc  #1 at the Tribeca Cinema  54 Varick St.

 

 

http://bit.ly/1dkDkDa

“Who I Am” receives a new award!

Our music video  of the song “Who I Am”   http://wp.me/ptiX7-8o  written by Jon Pousette-Dart, Jaime Kyle and myself and performed by Jon and Jaime  has been honored again!  The International Film Fest for Environment, Health & Culture-Jakarta, Indonesia will screen the video during their festival in May.  http://internationalfilmfestivals.org/EHC/winners.htm  (scroll down to “Documentary Shorts”)

On the subject of Alzheimer’s and my experience with my mother, the song highlights the journey traveled by those who have lived with a loved one experiencing “the long goodbye”.   Hopefully this attention will raise awareness of the need for more answers in the search for causes and cures for the  ever increasing appearance of this disease.

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“Isle of Capri: A Song of My Mother” screening Tomorrow!!

Come and end Women’s History Month the right way by stopping by Ooba Lounge in Brooklyn to view my Award Winning short film, “Isle of Capri: A Song of My Mother” tomorrow, Tuesday March 26, 2013.

“Isle of Capri: A Song of My Mother” is a short film showing how music can uplift the lives of Alzheimer’s patients and allow caregivers a meaningful experience with their loved ones.  When my mother was diagnosed with this disease my husband, Jon Pousette-Dart, and I found a way to enhance her existence and that of her housemates through song.

This Women’s History Month event will also feature other award winning short films, two poets, documentaries, a stand up comedian, and a comedic comedy sketch .

Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Below are full details about the event:

Women’s History Month Event

Ooba Lounge 617 Grand St. Brooklyn (Williamsburg)

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM

Caregiver Bill Batson’s loving watercolor tribute to his Dad

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Batson who has painted a daily watercolor sketch of his father who is living with Alzheimer’s disease. Here is an article that Bill posted in the Nyack News & Views.

“Every morning for the last year, I have created a watercolor portrait of my father, William Prime Batson. I started the project on his 90th birthday on October 22, 2011. On Sunday, October 21, 2012, I completed my 366th painting.

Physically, my father is robust: cognitively he is in decline. He doesn’t know my name, or our relationship, but the bond between us is strong. He seems to particularly enjoy our 6:00 am portrait painting sessions. You can’t see his eyes in any of my paintings because he is concentrating on the delicious breakfast I serve: hot cereal with apples and prunes, toast and juice.

Here is a selection of my favorite pieces from the 366-day tribute.”

to read more click this link: http://www.nyacknewsandviews.com/2012/10/nyack-sketch-log-william-prime-batson/

“Who I Am” Wins yet another award PLUS an amazing opportunity!

More good news! Recently, “Who I Am” was submitted to the Lucerne International Film Festival, opening October 19th thru October 22nd in Lucerne, Switzerland. The LIFF has presented us with an “Honorary Award of Merit”. As part of this award, we were given the promise that our film would be sent to a handful of distributors, one of them being Jeridoo Productions who will be reviewing the film and determining if it is ready for the big screen, such as iTunes and/or Amazon or even theatrical release in Europe, U.K., Canada and our home sweet home, The United States of America.

“Who I Am”, directed by yours truly, features musical performances by Jon Pousette-Dart and Jaime Kyle and includes personal family footage and photos of my mother, Doris Young, and our time together. This song was written to be included in the upcoming feature documentary, ‘Forget Me Not’ on the subject of Alzheimer’s disease. ‘Forget Me Not’ is still in the production stages, so stay tuned for updates of our upcoming interview with nutritionist Dr. Oz Garcia about which we are very excited here at the office.

With each of my posts I’d like to start by giving health tips!

Tip #1: Keep a regular exercise routine! Make it your goal to work out in any way that you feel comfortable, whether it be, swimming, jogging, running, weight lifting, or last but not least, ZUMBA! If you’re looking for something to keep you centered and grounded I would highly recommend yoga to increase your balance and strength thus reducing the likelihood of falls and head injuries which may increase your risk for Alzheimers.

For those of you that don’t have the time to visit your local fitness club everyday, I would highly recommend purchasing a balance ball for you to practice on when you get out of bed in the morning, or right before you go to bed at night!

Remember that keeping your heart rate up is the key here, and that even doing laundry or cleaning the house counts as exercise!

Stay happy and stay healthy!

Music video screening at “Crookedest” Film Festival Thursday – June 7

Another weekend, another film festival! The ‘Who I Am’ music video will be screening in Iowa Thursday for the Snake Alley Film Festival. The screening will be at the Capitol Theater in Burlington, Iowa as  part of the Orange Block, which starts at 2PM June 7th. See the FULL SCHEDULE for more information and check out the Snake Alley FF Facebook Page.

Directed by Dawn Young, ‘Who I Am’ is performed by Jon Pousette-Dart and Jaime Kyle for the upcoming feature documentary ‘Forget Me Not’ on the subject of Alzheimer’s disease. Pousette-Dart has also included the song is his CD ‘Anti Gravity’. This music video and documentary shine a light on an increasingly prevalent and heart breaking disease in which the victim gradually forgets personal history, how to function in society and how to survive.

“Who I Am” screening at Pittsburgh IFF – June 2

Our music video for “Who I Am” will be screening at the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival this weekend!

The screening is  Saturday, June 2nd,  in the 10-noon block at the Hollywood Theater.  See the festival’s FULL SCHEDULE.

Directed by Dawn Young, ‘Who I Am’ is performed by Jon Pousette-Dart and Jaime Kyle for the upcoming feature documentary ‘Forget Me Not’ on the subject of Alzheimer’s disease. Pousette-Dart has also included the song is his CD ‘Anti Gravity’. This music video and documentary shine a light on an increasingly prevalent and heart breaking disease in which the victim gradually forgets personal history, how to function in society and how to survive.

“Who I Am” music video screens in the Garden State Film Festival

Garden State Film Festival Showing of “Who I Am”Our music video, “Who I Am”, has been selected by the Garden State Film Festival and will be shown on March 25th 2:30pm at the Asbury Park City Council Chambers. As an independent filmmaker, whose own mother and grandmother suffered with Alzheimer’s, I sought an alternative way to help my mother and I deal with this devastating disease. Along with my husband Jon Pousette-Dart, I embarked on a journey to find a way to enhance my mother’s, and her housemates’, existence through music and the evocations that it brings. As an outcome, Jon, Jamie Kyle and I wrote and produced the multi award winning music video “Who I am,” which will be included in the upcoming documentary “Forget Me Not.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgLBkJISsYk

‘Who I Am’ at Independent Film Quarterly Festival Wednesday

Our music video, “Who I Am,” was selected for screening at the 2011 Independent Film Quarterly Film & New Media Festival in New York City.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 23rd at 8pm
WHAT: Screen 2, Mixed Shorts Category
WHERE: Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

This music video shines a light on an increasingly prevalent and heart breaking disease in which the victim gradually forgets personal history, how to function in society and how to survive. ‘Who I Am’ is performed by Jon Pousette-Dart and Jaime Kyle for our upcoming feature documentary ‘Forget Me Not’ on the subject of Alzheimer’s disease. Pousette-Dart has also included the song is his forthcoming CD release ‘Anti Gravity’.

The IFQ Festival runs November 17 to 24. Check out the full Festival Schedule here.

‘Isle of Capri’ – official IFFM selection, screening in NYC this weekend

Our award-winning documentary short, “Isle of Capri: A Song Of My Mother” will screen this weekend in the Cinema Shorts section at the International Film Festival of Manhattan.

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 13th @ 4:00pm
WHERE: Quad Theater, 34 13th Street, New York City

Make sure to come out and see the film on the big screen! There will also be an opportunity to meet the filmmakers and take part in a Q&A!

In “Isle of Capri,” Filmmaker Dawn Young and her husband, singer/songwriter Jon Pousette-Dart, enhance her mother’s life, and that of her housemates, through music. Thanks to the songs of her mother’s youth, the filmmaker is able to open the door to the far away remembrances of the past once again. Dawn is able to find her mother who is touched by Alzheimer’s disease and intimately share the last years of her life until their final moments together.

Isle of Capri has been featured at the Martha’s Vineyard Film
Festival, the “WilliFest” in Brooklyn, the NY/LA Film Festival, The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, and The Lifetree Film Festival where it won “The Lifetree Film Award”.

To see a short music video of a song written specifically for this documentary, go to http://youtu.be/rgLBkJISsYk

For more information on the festival, visit www.iffmnewyork.com.

Other Venice Film Festival

The “Who I Am” music video is an Official Selection at The Other Venice Film Festival. The video will show at 9:00 PM tonight as a part of the festival’s “Music Videos Night.”

The festival is at Beyond Baroque (681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291) and runs from Oct. 13-16.

“Who I Am” shines a light on Alzheimer’s, an increasingly prevalent and heart breaking disease in which the victim gradually forgets personal history, how to function in society and how to survive. ‘Who I Am’ is performed by Jon Pousette-Dart.

If you can’t make it to Venice, CA, see the award-winning video on Youtube: http://youtu.be/rgLBkJISsYk

We have also entered the final TWO weeks of our IndieGoGo campaign for our feature-length documentary on Alzheimer’s, “Forget Me Not.” If you can please make a donation here: http://www.indiegogo.com/ForgetMeNot2 We’ve got a lot of great rewards for supporters and really need your help to put the finishing touches on this documentary!

“Who I Am” at Moondance Festival!

The “Who I Am” music video is an Official Selection and Award Winner at the Moondance International Film Festival in Boulder, Colorado!
The video will screen opening night of the festival.
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 16 7:00PM
WHERE: OLD MAIN THEATER

“Who I Am” was also awarded the Spirit of Moondance Award, a category that recognizes women writers, filmmakers and composers.

The Moondance International Film Festival will be held from September 16-18, 2011. Go and check out all the great films!

If you can’t make it to Colorado, see the award-winning video on Youtube: http://youtu.be/rgLBkJISsYk

Support our IndieGoGo campaign!

We have launched a campaign to raise the funds for the editing of our documentary, Forget Me Not!

There are various levels of donations with perks for each donation level. Help us out to reach our goal of $20,000!

Here is the link to our campaign page…check it out!

http://bit.ly/qB7rvI

here’s the link to a music video of an award winning  song we wrote for the film called “Who I AM”

http://youtu.be/rgLBkJISsYk

Our short doc at the Art of Brooklyn Film Fest !

Award-Winning Documentary Short,
“Isle of Capri: A Song Of My Mother”
To be Screened: Aug. 27th @ 4:30pm

Young and Running Production’s, award-winning documentary short, “Isle of Capri: A Song Of My Mother”, will screen in NYC at The Art of Brooklyn: a festival of film, music & art being held at the St. Francis College Theater located at 180 Remsen Street in Brooklyn on Sat. Aug. 27th at 4:30pm.  Meet the filmmakers and take part in the Q&A !

To see a short music video of a song written specifically for this documentary, go to    http://youtu.be/rgLBkJISsYk

For more information on the festival, visit www.TheArtofBrooklyn.com.

To learn more about Young & Running Production’s upcoming feature visit,  www.forgetmenotfilm.wordpress.com

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease to a family member is devastating. Past history between you is erased and there is no longer a keeper of past records. This long goodbye doesn’t have to be considered a “death sentence” but rather can be viewed as a process of “living with an illness” since there’s a lot a caregiver can do to enrich these years.  Filmmaker Dawn Young enhances her mother’s life through music. This short film shows how listening and entering their world, where ever that may be at the present moment, instead of forcing them into our present reality works best  Thanks to music and the songs of her mother’s youth, the filmmaker is able to open the door to the far away remembrances of the past once again, find her mother who is touched by Alzheimer’s disease and intimately share the last years of her life until their final moments together.

Isle of Capri has been featured at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival and the “WilliFest” both in September 2010 and The Life Tree Film Festival May 2011 where it  won “The Best Short Lifetree Film Award”.

Isle of Capri: A Song of My Mother screens in Brooklyn

Award-Winning Documentary Short,

“Isle of Capri: A Song Of My Mother”

To be Screened: Aug. 27th @ 4:30pm

Young and Running Production’s, award-winning documentary short, “Isle of Capri: A Song Of My Mother”, will screen in NYC at The Art of Brooklyn: a festival of film, music & art being held at the St. Francis College Theater located at 180 Remsen Street in Brooklyn on Sat. Aug. 27th at 4:30pm.  Meet the filmmakers and take part in the Q&A !

To see a short music video of a song written specifically for this documentary, go to        http://youtu.be/rgLBkJISsYk

For more information on the festival, visit www.TheArtofBrooklyn.com.
To learn more about Young & Running Production’s upcoming feature visit,  www.forgetmenotfilm.wordpress.com

 

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease to a family member is devastating. Past history between you is erased and there is no longer a keeper of past records. This long goodbye doesn’t have to be considered a “death sentence” but rather can be viewed as a process of “living with an illness” since there’s a lot a caregiver can do to enrich these years.  Filmmaker Dawn Young enhances her mother’s life through music. This short film shows how listening and entering their world, where ever that may be at the present moment, instead of forcing them into our present reality works best  Thanks to music and the songs of her mother’s youth, the filmmaker is able to open the door to the far away remembrances of the past once again, find her mother who is touched by Alzheimer’s disease and intimately share the last years of her life until their final moments together.

 

Isle of Capri has been featured at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival and the “WilliFest” both in September 2010 and The Life Tree Film Festival May 2011 where it  won “The Best Short Lifetree Film Award”.

Two Awards from the Lifetree Film Festival!

The results are in! The short movie, “Isle of Capri: A Song of My Mother” about how music enhances the lives of Alzheimer’s patients and the music video of our original song, “Who I am”, performed by Jon Pousette-Dart and Jaime Kyle on the same subject (View it here) both won first place awards in their categories at the Lifetree Film Festival!

Shawna Schultz, one of the coordinators of the event, got in touch with me just recently to tell me the good news. What’s more, she said the audiences were truly moved by both films. It’s so inspiring to hear that our story touched others so deeply.  It reminds me once again how many people share this burden in life.  It’s my hope that these films, and the upcoming feature film Forget-me-not, will reinvigorate dialogue about this issue and will help spur improvements in how we care for those affected by Alzheimer’s.

Here’s to getting the word out! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to help make these films, and thank you to Lifetree Cafe and the Lifetree Film Festival! Wishing you all the best.

-Dawn

p.s. To see the awards for our films and others, go to the Lifetree Film Festival site!

Another Festival Finalist!

We are finalists in yet another film festival!

The Lifetree Film Festival just announced that our short film, “Isle of Capri”, is a finalist in their film festival. The sponsor of the festival is Lifetree Cafe, an organization which helps communities create forums for relaxed meetings and conversations about the stories of our lives and the stories of the world around us. What better conversation to have than one about Alzheimer’s, a disease that affects so many people and which directly or indirectly touches all of our lives and all of society!

The festival will screen on May 21st, and we’ll be sure to let you know the results. If any one of you readers will be in or around Loveland, Colorado, you can even attend! Go to Lifetree films for more information about the festival and Lifetree Cafe to learn more about Lifetree Cafe itself.

It seems Spring is officially here! Have a wonderful week! Wish us luck at the festival!

-Dawn

Great Review for “Who I am”!

Jon’s track, “Who I am”,  recently helped his album “Anti Gravity” get a solid review on the music review blog MassLive! Of course I’m excited about the review, seeing as Jon Pousette-Dart is my husband and I’m a big fan of his, but his music is down to earth and justly deserves a good round of listening! We’ve got a lot of talent behind the Forget-Me-Not-Film, and Jon’s been a great support and contributor to the film’s production. To read more about his album, click here for the review.  Emmy Lou Harris got the top of the page marquis, but scroll down and you’ll see Jon’s review below.

You can also go here for the “Who I am” video.

Thanks for reading and be sure to keep an eye open for the Forget-Me-Not film coming out soon!

NYLA Film Festival! Here we come!

News just in!

I was just notified that our music video, “Who I am”, was accepted into the New York Los Angeles International Film Festival! The festival will screen films in both New York and Los Angeles, though not necessarily all films will be screened in both locations. Our video,  “Who I Am”,  WILL  screen here in NYC and LA! You can check out the screening schedule and results at http://www.nylaiff.com. So whether you’re in New York or LA,  go have some fun and check it out! Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more announcements!

-Dawn

Free Brain Games – No gimmicks

Solve fun word jumbles

Word scrambles are brain-teasing fun. They are challenging to finish, but incredibly satisfying at the same time.Now, you don’t have to wait for the newspaper to solve a fun word scramble. You just need to go online.The Daily Jumble should bring back memories of your local newspaper’s comic section. There’s a new puzzle every day.   You can also play other Jumble games. Just look in the area marked More Jumble Games. There’s Jumble Crosswords and even a Jumble just for kids.Nothing stimulates the mind quite like a challenging word game. These games are both fun and addictive. They’re great when you only have a few minutes to relaxwww.uclickgames.com

Brooklyn TiKi Bar – CINEMA NIGHT – TONIGHT!!

Brooklyn’s TIKI BAR  presents CINEMA NIGHT

Forget-me-not’s film release is approaching! We’re steadily building up momentum and spreading the word through screenings, talk-backs, and press releases!!!

Come tonight to have a good time, share some laughs, and support Forget-me-not and other locally made films at the Tiki Bar’s Cinema Night!

885 B 4th Ave btw 33rd and 34th st – Brookyln

7-10 pm
LIVE PERFORMANCES $$ CASH PRIZE RAFFLE
$5 entry – Drink specials at the show

Come and see some of NY based filmmakers work!  Q & A to follow.

Dawn Young, Alysia Reiner, Sonia Gonzalez-Martinez,

Julio Antonio Toro, Damian Bailey, Marquis Smalls,

Micheal Forstein, B.J Aramayo, Tony Clomax

Hosted by Frances Lozada & Gil Pizarro from Fade to Black Productions, New York.

For future shows and film entries, email moviequest2004@yahoo.com

Don’t Miss it!    See you there!

Directions: Take the D, M, N, or R to 36th st. Walk two blocks on 4th ave. to 34th st.

Phone: 718-768-2797

Los Angeles International Film Festival Award

Awesome news!

The music video we produced, “Who I am”,  just got an honorable mention at the Los Angeles International Film Festival.  Many, many videos contend for these awards, so we’re very proud to be recognized for this work. If you haven’t already seen the video or heard the song, you can check it out at the top of this page. Here’s to getting the word out and spreading the message of hope!   Here’s what they had to say!

“Congratulations! Your film has been selected for an Honorable Mention Award in the Music Video Category!   We received an overwhelming amount of high quality submissions in the category this season so this is a major achievement. Thank you for your vision!  It is artists like those who collaborated on your project that inspire festivals like ours. More festival event information to follow but for now, congratulations on your success!

Best, LAIFilm Fest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgLBkJISsYk

Cheers,

Dawn