2015-2016 Highlights

“Sick in Africa” began as a concept due to my need to create a film project that would allow me to complete my Masters of Arts in Digital Storytelling from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. I wanted to focus on a topic that would not only have been useful for me and my team as foreigners living in Mozambique, but also for others dealing with cross cultural medicine in general.

A crowdfunding site was set up in January of 2015 to help with financing the basic equipment needed for a “run and gun” style of documentary filming. Once the needed equipment was obtained from the U.S. and in my hands in Mozambique, I began the filming process in April having told select local friends what I was up to and asking them to alert me as to any health needs they hear about in the villages surrounding me. I would film off and on, always on call, for the next ten months.

In January of 2016, our family began the difficult transition of leaving Mozambique after 13 years in the region doing community and spiritual development. By March we had landed in Portland, Oregon where I was hard at work editing so that I could turn in a completed documentary project. Quite honestly, I was completely overwhelmed. How would I weave so many stories together? I had a longer form story that was disjointed and disappointing but reminded that a shorter form documentary would work just fine for me to complete my studies.

With Bernad and his search for a cure being my strongest story, I was able to simplify my approach and focus on his story.

By March 10th, a basic trailer had been uploaded to YouTube. On April 6, Bernad sadly dies. By July, the first episode in what would become an ongoing long-term passion project would be released for the public. I began to apply to the film festival circuit and in September was pleased to receive acceptance to the Largo Film Awards.

In October, a Portuguese version was made available. The national language of Mozambique is Portuguese. While the main character Bernad did not use Portuguese around home much, it is important to have this series available in Portuguese to honor the nation in which I lived for many years and filmed these stories.