Documentary project gives voice to Orange County non-profits

What could backyard naturalists, a hunger program, a 10-year-old girl and victims of domestic abuse possibly have in common?

 They’re all subjects in the
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
documentary project, “Community Voices.” Their stories will unfold on the big screen at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, when the project’s fall films screen in Folino Theatre. “Community Voices” is a program at Chapman University’s Dodge College created to reach out to the community and give visibility to the diverse and inspiring stories there.

The new films focusing on local agencies include:

• “Breaking Through,” the story of Girls Inc, an organization whose aim to empower young women with strength and confidence. “Breaking Through” highlights the story of 10-year-old Monique, one of Girls Inc’s brightest stars. 
• “Mountain Man,” a film about local environmental organization Naturalist For You, which works to connect Orange County citizens to the beauty that lies in their own backyards. 
• “Food For Thought,” a chronicle of the extraordinary work of Second Harvest Food Bank, and the hidden populations of Orange County that this organization feeds. 
• “She’s My Superman,” the story of the Women’s Transitional Living Center, which provides refuge and resources to survivors of human trafficking and domestic abuse. An intimate portrait follows the story of one brave and courageous man, whose family are survivors. 

Viewers will be struck by the poignancy of these documentaries, all of which are rooted in Orange County, says Sally Rubin, an assistant professor at Dodge College and the program instructor.

“The power of documentary portraiture to convey the nuance and subtlety of human experience is undeniable. The Community Voices program offers our students the opportunity to explore this magic while simultaneously being of direct and impactful service to the causes they care about right here at home, in Orange County,” Rubin says.

Admission is free and a Q&A with the filmmakers and reception will follow the screening. The Community Voices documentary program is made possible through the generosity of the Dhont Family Foundation.