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Premier of “Count Me In” Documentary
October 15, 2016 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm CDT
Free“Count Me In,” the first in-depth documentary about participatory budgeting, a burgeoning national movement that started in Chicago, tells a rare good-news story about money and voting, tracking the efforts of regular Chicagoans who are rolling up their sleeves to make an impact in their neighborhoods. A special screening in Chicago will be followed by a discussion of the film and the future of participatory budgeting. The film, produced by Chicago-based Sommer Filmworks LLC, presented nationally by WTTW Chicago and distributed by the National Educational Telecommunications Association, will be available to public television stations in October 2016.
Participatory budgeting is one answer to the question, how do you get citizens, who have become cynical about politics and frustrated with voting, involved in the decision-making process about what government does and how things get done? The film shows residents pitching ideas for a variety of projects, including street repairs, bike lanes and community gardens. Projects get researched, proposals crafted, and at the end, the entire community is invited to vote. “Count Me In” explores the ups and downs of this new tool, offering an engaging, unvarnished look at what it will take to revitalize democracy from the ground up, not just in Chicago, but across the nation.
After the screening a panel will lead a discussion of the film including:
- Count Me In Director and Producer Ines Sommer
- Thea Crum, Director of Neighborhoods Initiative, UIC Great Cities Institute
- Amanda Cortés, Assistant to Alderman Rick Muñoz, 22nd Ward
- Joann Williams, community activist from 22nd Ward, featured in the film
WHEN:
Screening
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Panel Discussion
3:15 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
WHERE:
Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater
78 E. Washington Street, Chicago, IL
For more information on “Count Me In” go to: www.countmeinmovie.com
The October 15th premier is free and open to the public but RSVPs are encouraged at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
