Governors and Top Education Experts Join The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation, The Hunt Institute and The Ounce of Prevention To Support Early Childhood Education Film Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America
WE INVITE YOU TO SHARE THE FILM’S TRAILER!
Virtual Premiere and Panel Discussion August 12th Abramorama to Release Film in Virtual Cinemas August 14th
Special Pre-Premiere Panel on August 10th Featuring North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and Former U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King
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.
July 29, 2020 -- The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation, The Hunt Institute and The Ounce of Prevention today announced two special events, free and open to all, to support the upcoming documentary film Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America, a film 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, moderated by Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute and Former Virginia Secretary of Education. 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. To join the conversation, register here.
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 EDT 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/
Press Contact: Film: [email protected], [email protected] The Hunt Institute: [email protected] The Ounce of Prevention: [email protected]
For more information about Starting at Zero, visit: www.startingatzerofilm.com Instagram: @startingatzerofilm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartingatZero/ Twitter: @StartingatZero_