The US National MS Society Moving Forward Film Festival 2007
This past summer, the National MS Society posted a call for entries on its national site and issued information for chapters to distribute locally. Over 100 people submitted proposals for consideration.
From those initial proposals, a judges’ panel of people with MS in the film and entertainment industry reviewed submissions and selected the five finalists. Each finalist was paired with a production company and worked collaboratively with the production team and panel to produce the 5-7 minute films shown at the conference.
Some of you have asked “was there a winner?” All of these films are winners and we are extremely thankful to each of these people for opening their lives to share with everyone living with MS.
Jennifer Braddock is 24 years old, and works in the film industry as a camera assistant. Diagnosed with MS at the age of 20, while a junior in film school, Jennifer has always been a fighter. Her passions include filmmaking and cycling.
My Fight with MS
A film by Kyle Surkovich about living with MS.
Fourteen-year-old Kyle Surkovich is an eighth grader at Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School in Hollidaysburg , PA. He is a member of the YMCA Swim team and the school chess club. In his spare time he enjoys mountain biking, digital photography, digital video work, cooking and competing in team triathlons along with his twin brother Todd and stepbrother CJ. He plans to attend culinary school to be a chef when he grows up.
“My Fight With MS” was his first video project. He dedicates it to the person he admires most, his dad, Tim Surkovich.
The Show Must Go On
A film by Kristie Salerno Kent about living with MS.
Since childhood, Kristie Salerno Kent dreamed of a career in the entertainment industry and received her BFA in Theater from Syracuse University. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999 and her lifelong dream of a stage career in theater seemed out of reach. After several years of denial, Kristie decided that the word dreams may end with an M and an S but her dreams don't end because of her MS. She is now a Singer/Songwriter/Producer and the CEO of her own production company, Whirlaway Productions, LLC. Now she combines her passion for music and the arts with her desire to help others. In October 2006, Kristie fulfilled one of her dreams by writing, recording, and producing her debut solo CD, "Believe".
The Horror of it All
A film by Darrin Ramage about living with MS.
Darrin Ramage is owner of Brain Damage Films, an independent horror film company. He also operates a movie distribution company, Maxim Media International. He was diagnosed with MS over 11 years ago and has never slowed down. After three years of courtship, Darrin married Angie on March 30, 2002. On Dec 2, 2005, they became proud parents to their first child, Stone. In an amazing turn of events, Angie was diagnosed with MS six weeks after Stone's birth. Together, they forge a daily battle against the disease by staying positive. They use their experience to educate and inform the young adult community about the disease by serving as leaders of the 20's-30's Squad for the Arizona Chapter.
up shot
A film by Fiona Hoey about living with MS.
Fiona Hoey was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, and has never been healthier. She's given up cigarettes and cheap beer, and taken up exercise and fine wine. Fiona currently travels the globe as a media consultant, and recently returned back to New York City from a stint in Kabul , Afghanistan. Fiona dedicates her film to care partners; without them, there would no witness to the human spirit.
Behind the Scenes of the Moving Forward Film Festival
