NEXT SCREENING: GOOD GRIEF at Scribe’s Street Movies this SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025 – 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Location: Vernon Park 5800 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
3 of the 8 Films will show at this Summer Outdoor Mini Festival
SIFTMedia 215’s 2024 Group Project – GOOD GRIEF FILM PROJECT stems from GRIEF, LOSS, AND GOOD GAINS: An Intensive Poetry Workshop w/ Ursula Rucker we held in January 2024. 18 Attendees worked with Ursula for 3 days to discuss, share and offer some healing around grief of all kinds. Culminating in the creation of Memoir Poetry…
We then chose 8 of the Poems/Poets to pair with SIFT Members/Filmmakers to transform the poems into films.
The results are creative, beautiful, inspiring and good storytelling!
Click Image for More Info
TALKBACK RECAP VIDEO: GOOD GRIEF COMMUNITY EVENT
Co-Produced with @TheThreadPhilly
Held November 16, 2024 at PhilaMOCA
This second screening of The Good Grief Film Project completed our Impact Campaign, which began with our COVID1619 Project. The Impact Campaign Director, Eboni Zamani (@PearlsGirlProductions) reached out to The Thread, a project to hold space for grief and healing, to create a Community Event about sharing stories of grief, loss and resilience. The event consisted of a mixer, screening of 4 Good Grief short films, followed by a recorded performance by Parallel Wave, a Trio of improvisational musicians who watched the films and then created a musical piece based on the feelings the film evoked. We then watched the last 4 Good Grief short films, followed by another recorded performance by Parallel Wave. Our panel shared stories of their grieving process and thoughts around deep loss. Then we opened it up to the audience to share. Everyone expressed their appreciation at the safe environment created for a cathartic, moving, loving Saturday afternoon.
Our Talkback Panel:
Beth Jellinek, The Thread – therapist and healing-centered coach
Janice Tosto – creator and host of “Grief Journeys” heard monthly on G-Town Radio.
Nassunni Abdul-Karim – Good Grief Poet, Abstract -Visual Artist, Designer
Ursula Rucker – Good Grief Project God Mother, Spoken Word Performer, Global Musician
Stephanie Malson – Good Grief Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Director, Producer
————CONTINUE SCROLLING———————
To Find RECAP OF PREMIERE EVENT | BEHIND THE SCENES Short Videos for the individual films that comprise GOOD GRIEF and
BIOS for Filmmakers and Poets…
ORIGINAL EVENT PROMO POST:
Date: Saturday, November, 16, 2024 | Times: 1pm Doors open | 4pm Event Ends
Venue: PhilaMOCA (531 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123)
Cost: FREE with Eventbrite Registration (Donations Welcome)
Refreshments
Welcome Remarks
Grounding Activity
Screenings / Musical Reflection
TalkBack
Socializing / Candle Making
Grief Care Discussion
MORE DETAILS:
@thethreadphilly is honored to co-present The Good Grief Film Project. The screening will include recordings improvised musical performance, inspired by the films and poets, by PARALLEL WAVE.
After the screening, there will be a Q & A with the poets, filmmakers & Ursula Rucker, moderated by Janice Tosto host of Grief Journeys. Attendees have the option to join in and share your feelings of grief. The event also includes: grief resources & memorial candle making.
Janice Tosto (@griefjourneyshost) is the creator and host of “Grief Journeys” heard monthly on G-Town Radio. She is proud that she and her fellow Germantown neighbor psychotherapist Sonya Kearney helped to bring The Thread grief art installation to Vernon Park.
Mixcloud link: Mixcloud.com/griefjourneyshost
The Thread is a project to hold space for grief and healing, with our current interactive installation at Vernon Park in Germantown. Visit the phone booth under the trees to ‘call’ your lost loved ones and speak to your grief and keep the thread of connection with those that are unreachable.
Your story is important. We have a voicemail line 267.314.7161
where you can share your experience of grief and memories.
By contributing your voice, you’ll help weave a tapestry of collective memory and healing, offering solace and connection to others on their grief journey.
With your consent, we will knit these stories together and share them through our digital platforms.
*This is not a helpline; if you are in crisis call or text 988.
DOWNLOAD A FLYER TO HELP SHARE – THANK YOU!
KEEP SCROLLING PASSED RECAP VIDEO
To Find BEHIND THE SCENES Short Videos for the individual films that comprise GOOD GRIEF. Along with BIOS for Filmmakers and Poets…
THE BIG SCREENING EVENT TOOK PLACE Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from 7 -10:30pm at Moore College of Art & Design. The cost was suggested donation of $5. The evening was hosted by Stephanie Renee, and included: a pre-screening Mixer/Refreshments, performance by Ursula Rucker, screening of the Good Grief Film Project, post-screening Q&A (including Ursula) and post Reception.
July 31st Premiere RECAP:
Here’s a Video featuring excerpts of Ursula Rucker & Tim Motzer performances and post-screening Q&A. Below the video is listed the incredible Filmmaking SiFTers, Poets and Crew who made all this possible!
(Thank you Annette and Elizah for working the registration table; Lisa and Asli for being on food line detail; Gabe and Destin for filming the event; LeAnne for putting together this montage of moments.
GOOD GRIEF Poetry Film Project:
Click links for Bios
| Filmmaker (SIFTer) | Poet | Film Title |
| DaSaint | Nassunni Abdul-Karim | FREEDOM IS MY NAME |
| Jasmine Lynea | Jessica Noon | HOW TO MEET GRIEF |
| Rae Shaw | Dominic Bradley | IN LIVING MEMORY |
| Iliana Pagán | Iliana Pagán | MULBERRY TREE |
| Tatiana Bacchus | Naila Francis | ROOTS |
| M. Asli Dukan | Morgan MacConnell | THEY SAY |
| Destiny Cox | Farrah Rahaman | WITH/WITHOUT |
| Stephanie Malson | Khaliah Pitts | WITNESSING:INTIMATELY |
Nikki Harmon Project Producer
Elizah Turner Project Coordinator
Eboni Zamani Impact Producer
Nadine Patterson Executive Producer
Stephen Schaffer Editor
Sound recording was done at Lil’ Drummaboy sound studio,
under the guidance and tutelage of Ms. Rucker.
Silver Level Sponsor
Independence Public Media Foundation (IPMF)
PROGRAM FUNDER
We’d like to thank our Community Partners:
BLACKSTAR Producers of BlackStar Film Festival
BLUE STOOP A home for Philly writers
This Hallowed Wilderness Grief counseling practice
Cobalt $500 Sponsor cinéSPEAK Philadelphia-based
cinema and film publication
GOOD GRIEF Film Project Trailer
BEHIND THE SCENES REELS – Rough Cut Screening Feedback
Iliana Pagán-Teitelbaum is a Puerto Rican filmmaker based in West Philadelphia. She directed and edited Twin Tongues: Learning English in América, a nonfiction film about the politics of bilingualism and identity in the Hispanic community of Philadelphia.
Dasaint is an Artistic Minister, Spiritual Alchemist, Lover of art and the various artistic expressions. A creative nomad who loves to travel.
M. Asli Dukan is a producer, director and editor with over 20 years of professional experience in independent film and video production in the U.S. and around the world. She has screened her films at numerous festivals, including the BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia and T.O. Webfest in Toronto, Canada.
Destiny Cox is a dynamic creative visionary and voice artist dedicated to bringing the untold stories of under-served communities to life. With a passion for both filmmaking and writing, she has made an indelible mark in Philadelphia, winning the prestigious Next Level Grant from the Scribe Video Center and earning recognition as a semi-finalist for the Black Boy Writes/Black Girl Writes Mentorship Program for her scriptwriting.
Jasmine Lynea is a non-binary femme filmmaker, educator, and a multi-media futurist radically dreaming outside of this reality. curious about what lives between truth and myth, through their vibrant imagination, lynea presents unconventional ideas that have the possibility of becoming attainable in a liberating future.
Tatiana Bacchus Owner/Senior Producer of Teaspoon & Pound Media, is an emerging independent film and media maker who curates and amplifies the ancestral wisdom of subjects and characters rendered virtually invisible in mainstream media.
IN LIVING MEMORY is an animated film in the series. BTS stills were not available at the time of this posting.
Rae Shaw is an interdisciplinary artist and writer whose work focuses on social justice genre narratives surrounding diverse youth, sexual violence, health disparities, and gender equity, especially regarding black women and women of color. Creative interests include: Horror, Thrillers, Action, Sci-fi, Women’s Health, Black Women, Sexuality, Diversity, Disparities
Our Rough Cut Screening took place June 11, 2024 at Big Picture Alliance
If you are interested in having the Good Grief Films screen in your Community, please contact our Impact Producer, Eboni Zamani: eboni.zamani@siftmedia215.org
The COVID1619 Project is a series of short films by members of SIFTMedia 215 Collective that look at education, healthcare, governance, creativity, economics, and family from the Latinx and Black points of view. As we learn to live with COVID-19, many people are experiencing isolation and a loss of hope, especially in communities of color. We are re-creating community through workshops and short films that will provide dialog and active engagement. We at SIFTMedia 215 want to engage viewers in critical conversations about today’s issues and facilitate the creative spark that exists within each of us.
Click Image below for More on the January Workshop Intensive
w/ Ursula Rucker
