Gratitude News from Out of The Blue

Let God and the world know you are grateful.
~ Mary Oliver

Happy #GivingTuesday everyone!

One of our favorite things at Out of The Blue: reflecting on the people and moments we're most grateful for this year.

OUR PAL, AL

Love and farewell to Out of The Blue advisory board member, colleague, and friend Albert Maysles. I first heard Al speak at the Full Frame Film Festival in North Carolina in 1999 ... known then as DoubleTake. Our missions resonated, we met back here in New York... and a rich mentorship and collaboration bloomed.

Al volunteered to shoot IN GOOD CONSCIENCE. He had fallen in love with our film’s title and our subject, Sister Jeannine Gramick, and we all fell in love with him. On each trip around the world to capture new scenes, Al would hug me tight and marvel: 'Aren't we lucky to do what we love?'

Al Maysles was an international treasure... a graceful force for good... and terribly missed.

DAYS OF DARAJA

If there's a woman more present, loving, and generous than philanthropist and author Deborah Santana, we haven't met her. This year, we are collaborating on a brand new Daraja Girls documentary-- our THIRD in that special series -- and we can't wait to share it with you!

Our filming took us to San Francisco this year... And executive producer Deborah joined us this fall at our OOTB HQ edit suite in New York. DARAJA GIRLS: Powerful Beyond Measure is about to be born. Look for it soon! And see the first two here : GIRLS OF DARAJA and SCHOOL OF MY DREAMS.

Daraja is a free boarding school in Kenya for gifted girls living in poverty. These students would not be able to continue in school without Daraja. Inspired by the girls, the school, and Deborah's devotion to the cause.. my husband/cinematographer Jim Anderson and I now personally support students at the school and you can too.
Go here: http://daraja-academy.org/donate-today/

STILL FOLLOWING ‘CONSCIENCE’
It was an awesome moment when Sister Jeannine Gramick was invited to the White House this fall to greet Pope Francis... So much has changed in the world since our award-winning IN GOOD CONSCIENCE on the life of this pioneering American nun with a ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics debuted.

Now catch the 10th anniversary edition... a nimble 45 minutes with a special new message from Sister Jeannine at the end.
Thank you to all who made this possible: Speranza Foundation and Kathleen Treat... H. van Ameringen Foundation... Agnes Gund... Deborah Santana (!) and our many grassroots donors. We love and appreciate you!

Rent or buy now: https://ingoodconscience.vhx.tv

Thanks to our donors large and small committed to our mission of exceptional storytelling that explores, articulates, and celebrates humanity. We welcome your continued support in 2016 and beyond. Please consider a tax-deductible contribution today: #GivingTuesday.

Thank you!!
With love & appreciation——

Winter New York City Winter (Photo by Barbara Rick)

At Al Maysles' home in Harlem in January for the family's annual holiday party.
(Photo from Out of The Blue Films, Inc.)

At the Independent Film Project Market with
IN GOOD CONSCIENCE team: assistant editor Cindy Craig, associate producers Libby Myers, Cynthia O'Murchu, cinematographer Albert Maysles, director/producer/writer Barbara Rick, cinematographer Jim Anderson
(Photo by Stefan Falke, 2003)

DARAJA GIRLS: Powerful Beyond Measure executive producer Deborah Santana with cinematographer Jim Anderson interviewing Daraja founder Jason Doherty. (Photo by Barbara Rick)

Filming Alice, Principal Victoria and Abdia in Marin County, CA for DARAJA GIRLS: Powerful Beyond Measure

Filming Sister Jeannine Gramick's 10th Anniversary IN GOOD CONSCIENCE message. (Photo by Barbara Rick)

At the birthday celebration of beloved Out of The Blue founding board member Carol Jenkins with her dear friend & world wonder: Gloria Steinem. (Photo by Jim Anderson)

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