When a paper mill in a small Appalachian town suddenly closes, leaving 1,200 people without jobs and undoing the economic fabric that held the town together for over a century, how will its people navigate the impending transformation of their way of life and identity as a community?
Status
Development
About the Filmmakers
Director
Jeremy Seifert
Jeremy Seifert is an award-winning film director, cinematographer, and editor whose documentaries have premiered at Sundance, Berlinale, Hot Docs, Tribeca, and AFI DOCS. He co-directed The Devil We Know, a 2018 Sundance documentary in competition and Netflix premiere. His short documentaries The Church Forests of Ethiopia and Ark of the Apocalypse premiered with New York Times Op-Docs. His films GMO OMG and DIVE! Living Off America’s Waste won over 30 awards at festivals worldwide and premiered on Netflix. Jeremy is a frequent film contributor to Emergence Magazine, an online multimedia magazine focusing on ecology, culture, and spirituality.
Co-Director
Benjamin James Roberts
Benjamin James Roberts is a Director, Cinematographer, and Composer. He is the creator of multiple docuseries, including Divergence and Rooted as well as short-form commercial spots. He has received a collection of awards, including Best Director at the Telly Awards, Silver at the American Advertising Awards, and Gold in the Photographer’s Forum photo contest. His commercial work includes brands such as Buchi, IcyHot, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Birdsong Brewing, Tennessee Tourism, QuickTrip, Georgia Power, Wild Turkey, Grand Marnier, and Hi-Wire Brewing. As a composer, Ben has scored a collection of feature-length documentaries, commercial spots, and the upcoming TV series Neon Babylon. In another life, Ben was a touring and studio musician for Grammy Award-winning artist John Mark McMillan. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with his wife and two children.
Producer
Chris Pruett
Chris is a producer from Canton, NC with over 15 years experience. He owns People Creative Agency and has produced work for the United Nations, the Republic of Georgia, Magnolia, the State of North Carolina, and others. Chris’ “people-driven” approach to producing renders an honest and authentic product that captures the essence of what it means to be human.
Producer
Colby Sexton
Colby Sexton owns West Ashe Creative in Canton, NC, and has worked in various film and television mediums for the past 22 years. Focused primarily on narrative-based commercial work, Colby enjoys crafting stories that engage viewers while creating connections that celebrate our human nature. Colby has branched out in the last 6 years to focus on directing and producing larger projects. With a passion for connecting people, assembling teams, and attention to detail, Colby brings a well-rounded and experienced strategic mindset to any production.