Mississippi-Made Documentary Earns International Recognition

For Immediate Release - July 16, 2013
Contact: Robbie Fisher (601) 941-1865 or Cynthia McMillian (662) 207-9107
Greenville, Mississippi-

Delta 180: Changing Lives in the Mississippi Delta, a documentary film about the Delta 180 program operating in Greenville, Mississippi won Best Short Documentary at the Madrid International Film Festival in Spain. The Award was announced on July 6, 2013 in Madrid. Director / Producer Anne Rayner was in attendance and accepted the honor on behalf of the Delta 180 production.

"We were in a very competitive category with 11 other films produced by wonderful filmmakers from around the world, some of whom I got to know at the festival, so the win was especially meaningful to receive in person" said Rayner.

Delta 180:Changing Lives in the Mississippi Delta is a short film filmed in Greenville and Washington County, Mississippi in 2012. It tells the story of the Delta 180 after-school program for youth operating in Greenville, Mississippi, which is changing the lives of student and adult participants in the program. The program continues to operate and grow in Greenville today under the guidance of Executive Director Cynthia McMillian. The program is affiliated with the national 180 Degrees Program LLC, based in Salem, Oregon, founded by 180 Degree President Dean Renfrow.

The film was produced by Cypress Bend Productions, LLC with Producers Robbie Fisher and Anne Rayner, who are both Greenville, Mississippi natives. The film's Executive Producers are Renfrow and Jonas Hayes, a Presbyterian pastor currently living in Overland, Kansas who was a co-founder of the Delta 180 program during his tenure at the First Presbyterian Church in Greenville. Philip Scarborough, Jr. was the Director of Photography and Editor of the film. The film also features a musical score by Jackson, Mississippi-based composer Sam Watson as well as an original song written for the film by Greenville musician Eden Brent, entitled "Turning My Life Around", performed by Brent and the Greenville-Weston High Voices of Liberation Choir.

The film may be viewed on the Delta 180 website, www.delta180inc.org, and more information about the Delta 180 program may be found there. For more information on the national 180 Degrees Program, visit www.180-degreees.com.

 

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