Brave New Films has broken protocol.  We generally don’t host screenings of our short videos.  Fighting traffic on the Internet for an audience’s attention is difficult enough. Getting them to fight LA traffic to come out and watch a 3-minute video, I thought would be impossible! … But I was wrong.

On the eve of the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, over two hundred people gathered to watch the Los Angeles Premiere of “When The Saints Go Marching In.” Amongst libations, hors d'oeuvres, and music, a diverse crowd convened at Club Fais Do-Do – from activists and Brave New Films supporters to victims of Hurricane Katrina to community members who simply have a special place in their hearts for New Orleans.  I overheard conversations of one man reminiscing about JazzFest, another woman whose family had lost their home to the storm, and others who had gone to New Orleans after the Hurricane to volunteer and rebuild.  I think the air in the room last night was one of hope and community.  People were grateful to have a place to convene and commemorate on this anniversary.

At Brave New Films, we are in the habit of distributing our documentaries through houseparties. Since we’ve started producing shorts this year, we haven’t done that quite enough. I have to admit to I miss bringing people together – in one room, not just on the internet – to talk about, heck even tackle, an issue.  So thank you to everyone who came out to the event.  And please remember, it doesn’t end with last night, it begins there.  So please sign the petition, and check out our website for other actions you can do to get involved.  Let’s help the people of the Gulf Coast return home!