Reclaim The past
REImagine the future
Philadelphia is the home of our nation’s founding, yet too often conventional histories only spotlight the same historical figures who appear on our money and in our textbooks. There are countless others whose lives, labor, and courage shaped the birth and evolution of the United States, but whose stories have been omitted, obscured, or erased.
“Founding Further” is a film series that uplifts the stories of underrepresented Philadelphians who have contributed to the progress of our city and nation over the past 250 years. Produced by intergenerational teams of local filmmakers through the Big Picture Alliance, in partnership with historical institutions, scholars, and community organizations, these films invite us to reclaim our collective past and reimagine our shared future.
PROJECTS
Tamanend was a leader in the Lenni Lenape nation who, alongside William Penn, conceived of the Treaty of Shackamaxon that envisioned Indigenous people and Europeans living alongside each other in peace throughout Coaquannock (known today as Philadelphia). This film follows the journey of Lenape culture workers from the diaspora returning to Philadelphia to explore the history and mythology surrounding Tamanend, while engaging with alternate visions of what it means for Indigenous and non-indigenous people to live alongside each other.
James Forten was a Black Patriot from Philadelphia who served as a privateer in the American Revolution and went on to become a successful businessman who used his wealth and social standing to support abolition and civil rights. This short documentary uplifts and explores the story of his life and legacy through historical archives and interviews with scholars, historians, and descendants.
Indelible is a short documentary exploring the life and legacy of Dr. Sadie Alexander, the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in economics and practice law in Pennsylvania, and following the plight of “Sadie scholars”, black law students fighting against the institutional erasure of her legacy and the scholarship that bears her name.
Silence = Death is a short documentary exploring the life of Kiyoshi Kuromiya, a Japanese-American author and civil rights, anti-war, gay liberation, and HIV/AIDS activist. The film uses interviews with fellow activists and archival content to explore his incredible personal journey, legacy within the ACT UP movement, and the profound impact he had on the many intersectional movements he dedicated his life to.
The Gloria! Project is a short documentary exploring the life and legacy of queer Latinx civil rights leader Gloria Casarez. Produced over the course of a decade, the film traces Gloria’s journey from her childhood in Kensington Philadelphia, to grassroots organizer in the anti-poverty and HIV/AIDS movements, to her historic appointment as the city’s first Director of LGBT Affairs. Told through a rich blend of personal archives and voices from her community, the film captures how Gloria’s "boots on the ground" philosophy broke down barriers to ensure everyone had a seat at the table and how her legacy serves as a blueprint to continue the fight against the erasure of marginalized communities.
Community Partners
Funders
Production Partners
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