Appalshop and The Twelve Lions Film Festival are co-hosting a film screening fundraiser to support the Kentucky Humanities Council following recent federal funding cuts.
A 25th anniversary screening of Elizabeth Barret’s Stranger With a Camera will kick off the annual Twelve Lions Film Festival at the Kentucky Theatre on Thursday, September 25 at 7:00 PM. The film, released by Appalshop in 2000, examines the 1967 murder of filmmaker Hugh O’Connor and analyzes the relationship between mediamakers and the communities they portray. The event will also feature a musical performance from Chestnut Ridge, a trio of Appalachian Old Time musicians consisting of Ron Pen, Dinah Wainright, and Ross Wainright.
Kentucky Humanities was an early funding partner of Stranger with a Camera, as well as many other Appalshop Films. We recently collaborated on Common Ground: Humanities at Work, a radio program that showcased leaders of state humanities councils and the grantees they support.
“I have witnessed firsthand the vital work Kentucky Humanities does for our state,” stated Aaron Asbury, Appalshop Films Program Manager, “In celebrating the 25th anniversary of Elizabeth Barret’s Stranger with a Camera, one of the most significant films in Appalshop’s catalog, we want to shine a light on the important work Kentucky Humanities does in literacy, history, and cultural engagement, and ensure the future of this programming.”
100% of ticket sales from the screening will support Kentucky Humanities, who was one of many humanities councils nationwide who saw their federal funding rescinded by DOGE earlier this year. Kentucky Humanities’ programming includes the Speakers Bureau, which connects Kentucky scholars, historians, artists, and more with community groups; Think History, a daily radio segment that shares vital stories from Kentucky’s history; and the Kentucky Chautauqua, a performance series where actors bring Kentucky’s historical figures to life for school visits, festivals, and other community engagements.
“For decades, Appalshop and Kentucky Humanities have worked in partnership to preserve and share Kentucky’s rich cultural heritage,” states Bill Goodman, Executive Director of Kentucky Humanities. “At a crucial time in our fifty-three year existence, when our federally appropriated funds have been cut, we are overwhelmed with gratitude, and want to thank Appalshop, The Kentucky Theatre, and the Twelve Lions Film Festival for hosting the first fundraiser in our history. Let’s hope it is successful so we can continue telling Kentucky’s story across the state.”
Tickets are $12 advance / $15 on the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kentucky Theatre box office or online. For more information on the Twelve Lions Film Festival, visit https://www.
Watch AMI’s Newest Film on Youtube!
We are proud to share the first new documentary film created by this year’s Summer Documentary Institute Interns. Produced by Olivia Conley and Grace Adams, “Leave It At The Loom” is a story of struggle transformed into strength, and weaving as a form of heritage and hope. You can watch the film now on our Youtube page. Subscribe to our Youtube and follow our social media to see the rest of the AMI films created this Summer!
“The love I received coming into recovery, just simply because I was there trying something different you know, and…that’s one of the biggest things they do, man: they tell you they love you.” —Anthony Carter, “Leave It At The Loom”
We’re Hiring!
Appalshop is hiring a new General Manager for our community radio station, WMMT-FM. We’re looking for an organized, experienced General Manager who lives near Whitesburg, Kentucky, or is willing to relocate. If you believe in the power of a non-commercial community radio station for rural communities, you are a good candidate for this position.
The General Manager is responsible for managing WMMT staff, is someone who deeply understands the history and mission of community radio, and reflects this mission within Appalshop’s local, regional, and national audience. This multifaceted position also involves working closely with the position supervisor (Director of Artistic Programs), a full roster of volunteers, and a community advisory board.
The WMMT General Manager is responsible for:
- Ensuring the overall health and vision of Appalshop’s community radio station
- Cultivating relationships with donors, listeners, and community partners
- Ensuring that WMMT is operating legally per the FCC rules and regulations
- Working collaboratively across Appalshop by connecting radio capabilities to Appalshop needs (such as PSAs)
- Leading long-range strategic planning optimizing financial growth and sustaining community relationships
- Maintaining daily operations for WMMT
- Leading fundraising efforts
- Staying up to date on latest industry trends
For full details and to apply, visit appalshop.org/wmmtgm.
This Month’s Pay-What-You-Want Album from June Appal
A new month means a new Pay-What-You-Want album from the June Appal Recordings catalog! This month, we’re showcasing a personal favorite from the June Appal team—Earl Gilmore’s From the Depths of My Soul.
Earl was a lifelong resident of Clinchco in Dickenson County, Virginia, and was a member of the A.M.E. Zion-Methodist Baptist Church. This album is a wonderful blend of blues, gospel, soul, and folk music. It’s an incredibly moving album, and is perfect for the transition from Summer to Fall. You can stream/download it on the June Appal Bandcamp page.