07 Aug “Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America,” Virtual, 8/10 & 8/12!
Telluride local Elliot Steinberg is director of the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation, which produced the documentary titled “Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America.” Governors and top education experts are joining the Zaentz Foundation, along with The Hunt Institute and The Ounce of Prevention, to support the the film and get out the word about its (more than ever) critical focus: Early childhood education.
“As you know, the world of early learning in the United States has always been very fragile and under-resourced,” explains Steinberg. “This has only been exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis. Many schools and child care providers have been forced to close their doors, meaning many families no longer have access to critical resources, such as nutritious meals, child care home visiting programs and health care services. In this time of distress, ‘Starting at Zero’ enables us to imagine a brighter future — and indeed to ‘Reimagine Education in America’ — through highlighting sustainable model programs that can be adopted by states and communities throughout America.”
A special pre-premiere panel is scheduled to take place on August 10th. The webinar features North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper; Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer; Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton; Former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King; and Oregon Governor Kate Brown To join the conversation, register here.
A virtual premiere and panel discussion is scheduled to take place Wednesday, August 12, at 1:30pm EDT (11:30 Mountain) with an encore screening at 7:30pm EDT (5:30 Mountain time).
Conversations will highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood education in America and the critical role of high-quality early learning for our nation’s recovery and future.
Abramorama plans to release the doc in virtual cinemas on Friday, August 14.
Check out the trailer of “Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America,” then read on for further details.
The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation, The Hunt Institute and The Ounce of Prevention recently announced two special events, free and open to all, to support the upcoming documentary film “Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America,” a documentary that culminates with a call to governors across America for collective action: to set our nation on the path to future success through significant investments in high-quality early childhood education, both to support today’s workforce and to build the workforce of tomorrow.
Abramorama will release the film in virtual cinemas nationwide beginning August 14, 2020.
The events will include current Governors Roy Cooper (NC); Gretchen Whitmer (MI); Steve Bullock (MT); and Ralph Northam (VA), as well as senior officials with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Bezos Family Foundation.
“Post-COVID 19 we want to come back to become better than we were, to become the kind of country we ought to be, become the kind of people we ought to be. That’s what America should do. And early childhood education is absolutely essential.” – Former Governor of North Carolina James B. Hunt.
The pre-premiere panel, set for Monday, August 10th, will feature a live conversation between North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper; Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer; Former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, President and CEO of the Education Trust; and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. The talk will be moderated by Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute. The panel will focus on the importance of state and federal investment in early learning. Panelists will share innovative state approaches and participate in Q&A with the audience. The event is free for all at 12:00pm ET on Monday, August 10th.
Hosted by The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation, The Hunt Institute, and The Ounce of Prevention, “Starting at Zero’s” virtual world premiere is set for Wednesday August 12th at 1:30pm ED, with an encore screening at 7:30pm EDT.
Both screenings will be accompanied by brief panel discussions before and after the film on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early childhood education in America and the critical role of high-quality early learning for our nation’s recovery and to ensure a brighter, more equitable tomorrow for all children and families.
The film will be introduced by Dr. Siddiqi. Panel conversations accompanying the screening will feature Siddiqi and political champions of early learning Governor Steve Bullock of Montana; Governor and First Lady Ralph and Pamela Northam of Virginia; James B. Hunt, Former Governor of North Carolina; Phil Bryant, Former Governor of Mississippi; and Jeana Ross, Retired Secretary of Early Childhood Education of Alabama, alongside early childhood experts Diana Rauner, Ph.D. (President, The Ounce of Prevention); Marquita Davis, Ph.D. (Deputy Director of Early Learning at The Gates Foundation); Ellen Galinsky (Chief Science Officer of Bezos Family Foundation); Archie Jones (Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School); Cindy Cisneros (VP for Education Programs, Committee for Economic Development); and pediatrician and author Dr. Laura Jana. Closing remarks will be delivered by Professor Howard Gardner, Ph.D., Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Produced by the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation and Firestarter Interactive, and directed by Willa Kammerer, “Starting at Zero” explores the power of investing in high-quality early childhood education so that all children and families have the opportunity to attain the American Dream.
At the heart of the film is the affirmation that if children are given the opportunity to thrive in settings with caring, responsive adults, the returns to our society will be deep and long-lasting.
The film features interviews with Governor Steve Bullock; Governor Kay Ivey; Governor and First Lady Ralph and Pamela Northam; Former Governor Jim Hunt; Former Governor Phil Bryant; and Retired Secretary of Early Education Jeana Ross.
About The Saul Zaentz Foundation
Founded in 1997, the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation works to improve outcomes for poor and vulnerable minority citizens in the United States. Saul Zaentz was a media entrepreneur in the music and film industry. Zaentz’s renowned works include the films One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus, and The English Patient. The Foundation is deeply committed to creating standards of fairness and a level playing field for those living in poverty and adversity by supporting high-quality early childhood learning and improving K-12 and college graduation rates. The Foundation has produced two forthcoming documentary films on early learning – “Tomorrow’s Hope: The Promise of Early Childhood Education” and “Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America.” For more information, please visit: http://www.saulzaentzcharitablefoundation.org/
About The Hunt Institute
An affiliate of the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, The Hunt Institute is a recognized leader in the movement to transform public education. Marshaling expertise from a nationwide partner network since its establishment in 2001, The Institute brings together people and resources that help build and nurture visionary leadership, and mobilize strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success. For more information, please visit: http://www.hunt-institute.org/
About The Ounce of Prevention
The Ounce of Prevention Fund (the Ounce) advances quality early learning for families with children, before birth through their earliest years, to close the opportunity gap. The Ounce envisions a world in which every child has equitable opportunity to reach their full potential to thrive in school and in life. To learn more about the Ounce and its work, visit theOunce.org.
About Abramorama
Abramorama is the preeminent global theatrical distribution and rights management partner for documentary and music films and is recognized for the consistent high quality of its work on award winning feature films. An innovator in the focused, personalized form of film marketing, promotion, distribution and live and traditional event cinema, Abramorama provides invaluable alternatives to filmmakers while continuing to trail-blaze exciting new pathways for filmmakers to find their audience. For more information, please visit: https://www.abramorama.com/
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