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In post-bankruptcy Detroit, a disparate group of innovators and creators are fighting to rebuild. To succeed, they must free themselves from the shackles of 20th century thinking and work together to create a city of the future.
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Clicking this button takes you to the Film Independent Fiscal Sponsorship site where your payment will be completed. All payments are paid to Film Independent, our fiscal sponsor partner and are 100% tax-deductible to the extent that the law allows. For all questions about donations, please contact Film Independent directly.
Restarting The Motor City is a documentary feature film, coming to a screen near you in 2020.
But to get there, we need your help. We need to raise a further:
$40k to finish the movie
This includes:
- final filming
- editing
- color grade
- sound mix
- score composer and music licensing
- finishing and delivery
$60k to bring the movie to film festivals and spread the story of innovation in Detroit to international audiences
This includes:
- festival strategist
- festival submission fees
- attendance at festivals by the film’s director and key cast
- PR and marketing costs
You can make a 100% tax-deductible contribution through our fiscal sponsorship partner, Film Independent. Any amount, no matter how big or small helps get us to our goal.
Help us finish telling this important story about the game-changers, innovators and community leaders that are reshaping Detroit’s future.
About
Detroit was the definitive American city, yet the very elements that raised it to ascendency also precipitated its demise. The Detroit of yesterday is gone, but a stronghold of citizens remain. Their backgrounds are different, but they share a dream of Detroit’s rebirth. Using new technology, wild creativity and fearless disruption, they’re rebuilding on new principles of innovation, human-centered design, and community engagement.
But these citizens face enormous challenges from aging infrastructure, outdated political models and forces that want to maintain the status quo. Can these entrepreneurs, artists and activists work together to achieve the dream of a new Detroit? If not, what does it mean not only for the city, but for America?
Restarting the Motor City is a feature-length documentary film that follows the journeys and struggles of real innovators making change in Detroit; including Detroit Soup founder Amy Kaherl, native Detroiter and founder of Kidz Kingdom Danielle North, physician and healthcare disrupter Dr. Paul Thomas and Downtown Boxing Gym founder Coach Khali Sweeney.
Their stories are augmented by interviews with experts, business leaders and opinion formers including Ted Serbinski from Techstars Detroit, Marc Hudson from Rocket Fiber, Amy Peterson from Rebel Nell, graffiti artist Shades Detroit, architect and urban designer Dan Kinkead and Aaron Foley, author of How to Live in Detroit Without Being a Jackass.
These people are daring to challenge every aspect of how a city works, from transportation to education to arts and culture, to collaboration across races, religions and political ideologies.
Restarting the Motor City is produced by Long Haul Films, the studio behind the award winning documentary Adele and Everything After.
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Contact
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Team
Long Haul Films was founded by Director Melissa Dowler and Director of Photography Tom Dowler to make uplifting and authentic documentary films and commissioned videos, about diverse and interesting people, that inspire audiences to think differently about the world and what is possible.
THE TEAM
Melissa Dowler – Director, Producer, Cinematographer
Melissa Dowler is an award-winning film director and co-founder of production company Long Haul Films. Adele and Everything After, Melissa’s debut feature documentary, tells the emotional story of a woman with an untreatable heart condition and the service dog who saves her life. The film premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival and went on to garner multiple awards and was picked up for a release by Gravitas Ventures in early 2018.
Tom Dowler – Producer, DP, Editor
Tom is an ex-pat Brit who started making films at the University of York, where he founded the University Cinematography Society and went on to a Masters in Feature Film Development at Goldsmith’s College in London. He has worked on narrative and documentary projects, including the award-winning Adele And Everything After, and The Brownlist which took home the jury prize for best short at Geena Davis’ Bentonville Film Festival.
Shane Kelly – Executive Producer
Shane leads Wolverine Angel Network where he connects entrepreneurs with capital, resources, and relationships. Previously, he held leadership roles at venture capital funds Detroit Venture Partners and Wolverine Venture Fund.
Prior to that, Shane was Vice President of Finance for GreeneStreet Films during rapid growth and several rounds of venture funding of up to $20 million each. While there, he built and led teams responsible for customer service, finance, and sales operations. His film credits include Movie 43, Awake, and Slow Burn.
Ted Serbinski – Executive Producer
Ted is the Managing Director of Techstars Mobility, driven by Detroit. He invests in next-generation automotive, transportation, and mobility startups across the globe and he left Silicon Valley to lead the entrepreneurial gold rush in Detroit and create a legacy. A member of the board of the Michigan Film Commission, Ted has worked closely with Long Haul Films to bring the story of entrepreneurship in Detroit to life.
Megan Lovallo – Cinematographer
Megan is a product of Boston University’s film program and two-time winner of the prestigious Redstone Film Festival for her short film, Off To The Races. Megan’s current work as a Director includes music videos, commercial and short narrative films.
Kaitlin Maud – Digital Strategist, Story Consultant
Kaitlin has a background in brand planning, a deep knowledge of the digital space, & broad strategy experience, with a passion for UX, cultural anthropology and trend forecasting. Her clients include Media Arts Lab, Beats Music, Deckstar Artist Management and Flor.