world premiere – tribeca film festival...already had a huge viral impact through social media;...

A F i l m b y S h a r o n L i e s e

World Premiere: Sunday, April 19th – 3:15pm @ Regal Battery Park Stadium 11, Theater 5 P&I Screening: Monday, April 20th – 4:45pm @ Regal Battery Park Stadium 11, Theater 8

Tuesday, April 21st – 5:45pm @ Regal Battery Park Stadium 11, Theater 10 Wednesday, April 22nd – 5:30pm @ Regal Battery Park Stadium 11, Theater 4

Saturday, April 25th – 9:00pm @ Regal Battery Park Stadium 11, Theater 6

www.TheGnomistFilm.com FB.com/TheGnomist

PRESS:

Amy Grey/Ashley Mariner DISH COMMUNICATIONS

818-508-1000 Cell: 818-216-7880/ (818) 468-8605

[email protected] [email protected]

ENTERTAINMENT

REPRESENTATION: Seth Lawrence

REBEL ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS (323) 932-1395 [email protected]

WORLD PREMIERE – TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL

Shorts Film Program: Home Improvement

Running Time: 20 Minutes

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SYNOPSIS

THE GNOMIST invites you to take a journey deep into the woods in Overland Park, Kansas to a place where

fairies and gnomes live. It’s a whimsical place that simply asks its visitors to dream, hope, love and, of course,

believe in a little magic.

In Spring 2013, Firefly Forest was founded when beautifully crafted fairy homes and doors custom-built to fit

the hollows of trees mysteriously popped up on a heavily wooded walking trail. No one knew who was

responsible for making the intricately detailed world, but more and more homes appeared overnight as if by

magic. The community even changed with the seasons. People began leaving notes for the fairies, often

disclosing their deepest struggles and greatest hopes, and they were surprised to find the fairies responded to

them.

In the isolating world of suburbia, three women find themselves in this enchanted forest in search of

something: an escape from a disturbing divorce; a respite from a devastating injury; and a connection to a child

who was taken too soon.

As the characters find solace among the gnome homes, a force beyond their control threatens the hallowed

area. The characters’ serendipitous connections to each other lay open the vulnerable human condition and offer

an uplifting message - that in spite of the tragedies whirling around us, we can walk through anything when we

embrace magic.

THE GNOMIST is filmed cinematically with sweeping crane shots far above the branches that move fluidly

down to the tiny fairy doors at the base of the tree trunks – introducing this hidden trail as a character itself.

With the trees’ fanciful faces, swaying leaves, and rolling, twirling branches, it is no wonder that the women in

the film all retreat to the forest to escape the overwhelming chaos of the urbanized world to which they feel

powerless.

This film takes us on a mystical journey that lingers in our hearts for days. THE GNOMIST stirs our souls

with cleverly intertwined fable-like storytelling. And without being overly earnest, the film reminds us of the

power of kindness and begs the question: what do you believe?

THE GNOMIST – PRESS KIT

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D I R E C T O R ’ S S T A T E M E N T

DEFINITION - Gnomist: author of aphorisms.

In the spring of 2013, I noticed an article in the “The Kansas City Star” describing the unexplained appearance of gnome homes on a wooded trail close to my home. The article contained a photographic montage showing intricately crafted doors built into the hollows of trees. I read further to learn that the Overland Park city officials were trying to catch the person making them because they were in violation of park rules. The mystery intrigued me. As a storyteller, I was drawn to the possibility of documenting the secretive movements of the elusive builder and the City’s efforts to find them.

I visited the forest to see the fairy dwellings firsthand. I found five homes within a one-mile section of the woods. Each house had an impressive little door that opened into a world of miniature furniture, clothing and fairy sundries. Aphorisms adorned the homes – displayed in tiny picture frames, etched on small rocks and embroidered on gnome doormats. Whoever was doing this, was a talented artist with a desire to make people smile. I returned a few more times. Meanwhile there were more news reports about the additions to the forest, drawing more and more people to witness the growing phenomenon.

At first, I just quietly watched as people approached the doors and squealed. As expected, kids were in awe. But, I was surprised to see that so many adults were enthralled. It became a sort of mecca for people with a void to fill. Regulars were sharing their discoveries with each other and even sharing personal stories. When I began talking to the trail goers, they told me that the houses reminded them that there are kindhearted people in the world. One woman said, “It’s so inspiring that the person doing this doesn’t want recognition.” The magical atmosphere was palpable. It was infectious.

I interviewed dozens of people who had transformative stories. I met a woman recovering from a hip injury, a teenager struggling with a recent diagnosis of Type I Diabetes and a newly single man searching for meaning in his life. Scanning the hundreds of notes that were left for the fairies, it was clear that this was a sacred space to dream, hope and repair lingering wounds. That became the story.

As my vision evolved beyond a “who done it” story, I remained curious about the identity of The Gnomist. I wanted to capture the secret building and installation of these magical structures in real time. How to make contact? I left three sealed notes for the fairies at different doors. Two weeks later I received a “blocked” call from The Gnomist. After several private meetings, the crew was invited to start filming the underground operations.

As a filmmaker, a story like this doesn’t come around often - nonetheless in my own backyard. The Gnomist gave me an opportunity to capture a whimsical story in a beautiful forest and to unveil a powerful arc filled with mystery, human frailty and hope. I noticed that everyone I met in the forest was dealing with some sort of loneliness. In some cases, it was severe and devastating. I was fortunate enough to be a witness to how the kindness and whimsy of strangers was a magical experience. While not a social justice documentary, this film inspires change on a root level, reminding us that the simple act of connecting can change someone’s destiny.

- S H A R O N L I E S E , D i r e c t o r a n d P r o d u c e r


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O U R S U B J E C T S

R O B Y N

Robyn and her two young sons find their family on the brink of divorce as they move to Kansas. Socially isolated and reeling from a life of successive moves, the boys look to their invincible mother as she tries to shield them from the harsh realities of their new world. A lifetime lover of nature, Robyn heads out to the forest every chance she gets. The sounds of the birds; the light breeze through the trees – this is where she can find her center. Robyn brings the boys with her to the trail; desperately hoping that it will work its magic on their adolescent hearts.


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K E L L Y

Kelly is on a journey that every parent fears. Last June, her three-year-old daughter, Allie, died from brain cancer – leaving her, her husband and seven-year-old daughter Evie, stuggling to rebuild their lives. Searching for relief from their heartache, Kelly, Kyle, and Evie retreat to the forest that Allie loved so much – hoping to feel some connection to her. What they discover provides a peace they never expected.

A L E X

As an athlete, Alex ran eight miles a day through the forest trails, admiring the tiny fairy doors in the trees. Then, she suffered a crippling hip injury. The path that once was her motivation is now her inspiration to not sink into depression. Now, as the “watcher in the woods,” her blog captures the wonder of the magic in the forest – a space that soothes Alex’s pain, and fills a void for everyone who steps foot into this sacred place.


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F I L M M A K E R S

Sharon Liese is a critically acclaimed and award-winning filmmaker who produces documentary-style television programming and documentary films that air on major television networks. Her philosophy is a simple one: to capture real and untold stories that inspire and entertain viewers.

Liese’s percipient approach to storytelling brings audiences on a whirlwind ride of emotions and reveals to viewers the human elements of every story.

During the 2014 Sundance Film Festival this past January, Sharon Liese premiered her film Selfie in collaboration with Director Cynthia Wade and in partnership with Dove and the Sundance Institute. In May of 2014, the short film won a 2014 CLIO Image Award for excellence in a Mass Video or Film Campaign. The film’s moving and intimate examination of beauty, through the relationships of mothers and daughters in a small Massachusetts town, has already had a huge viral impact through social media; gaining more than 6 million views and still rising.

Because of her work on Selfie, Liese was asked by “The Today Show” and The Sundance Institute to serve as a Sundance Institute Mentor to young teens making a PSA for the “Love Your Selfie” segment that premiered in April 2014.

Liese created and executive produced the unprecedented and award-winning WEtv documentary series, “High School Confidential” that followed a group of teenage girls through out their entire four-year high school experience. The first season of “High School Confidential” was filmed in suburban Kansas while the next four-year cycle was filmed in urban Chicago for the show’s second season. The premiere of “High School Confidential” broke nearly every ratings record for WEtv.

Liese has also created and directed three separate pilots for MTV News and Docs. Most recently, Liese directed the pilot for "True Life: I'm Breaking Up With My Religion" which aired on MTV December 16th, 2014. Liese's other projects include "Sobriety High," an intimately gritty look at at-risk teenagers at a high school for recovering addicts

A W A R D S Short Form Mass Video/Film Campaign: Selfie

2014 CLIO Image Awards Outstanding Real ity Show: High School

Confidential 2009 American Women in Radio and Television’s

(AWRT) Gracie Awards Outstanding Director: High School Confidential

2009 American Women in Radio and Television’s (AWRT) Individual Achievement Award

Outstanding Real ity Series: High School Confidential

2008 WIN Awards Best Producer: High School Confidential

2008 CableFAX Program Awards

DIRECTOR/PRODUCER SHARON LIESE


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in Minneapolis, and "Ice Queens" -an unusual glimpse into a competitive girls' High School Ice Hockey team in Vermont.

In just the past 10 years, Sharon Liese has produced content for Fox, Discovery ID, Lifetime, The Oprah Winfrey Network, MTV, and PBS to name a few. Her credits includes “Utopia,” “Hookers: Saved on the Strip,” “The Week the Women Went,” and “Blackboard Wars.”

Liese directed the three-part Women’s Reproductive Health special, Birthing Pains for KCPT-PBS and was also the EP/show runner for the pilot of "Breaking Point"- Discovery's newest documentary series about dangerous family secrets; airing January 2015.

PRODUCER CYNTHIA WADE

Academy Award®-winning Director Cynthia Wade has a proven track record for presenting dramatically compelling and emotionally gripping documentary stories. Her short film Freeheld won an Oscar and is the subject of a feature film to be released this year starring Julianne Moore, Ellen Page and Steve Carell. Her film Mondays at Racine was nominated for an Oscar in 2013.

From tender coming-of-age stories of children for Sesame Street to emotional portraits of teens for the Sundance Channel, Cynthia has an unusual talent for revealing surprising human moments – all with unparalleled craft and creativity.

Wade has won festival accolades all over the world – in the past four years alone, she’s won 33 film awards, including 2 awards at Sundance, 3 awards at Palm Springs, prizes at Aspen and the Hamptons, as well as film festival awards in Spain, Italy, Argentina and Belgium.

She's been making films and commercials for more than 15 years for clients such as MTV, HBO, Cinemax, IFC Channel, and PBS.


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DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY TY JONES

Over the last 16 years, Ty Jones has worked on more than 40 short films in almost every position possible ranging from director to crane operator. His film Last Breath won the Grand Jury Award at Garden State Film Festival and Best Feature at the Omaha Film Festival. Jones’ extensive work as a cinematographer spans feature films, reality television and documentary features such as Print the Legend (2014) that won the Special Jury Prize at the SXSW Film Festival. For one of his most recent projects, Ty served as the Director of Photography for an MTV News & Docs pilot, created and directed by Sharon Liese.

EDITOR JEREMY CARR

Jeremy Carr is an award-winning screenwriter and film director. His feature length film debut Other Madnesses(aka Lucid) was developed through The New York IFP Market. His previous short films include Nuclear Winter and Ice Cream Ants – the latter of which was awarded the Grand Prize at the Boston Underground Film Festival and Best Short Film at the Royal Flush Film Festival in New York City.

As a Producer, Editor and Cinematographer, Jeremy has created original content for Sesame Workshop, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and American Movie Classics (AMC). He served as an editor on the 2012 Emmy Award-winning primetime TV Special Sesame Street: Growing Hope Against Hunger and recently edited the short documentary Whole New Person, which was directed by Academy Award®-Winning Director Cynthia Wade. Jeremy was the Producer/Editor/DP of the feature length documentary The War on Kids, which was featured on The Colbert Report, MSNBC, NPR and The Sundance Channel. It can now be viewed on The Documentary Channel and Netflix.


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C R E D I T S

Directed and Produced by SHARON LIESE

Producer

CYNTHIA WADE

Director of Photography TY JONES

Associate Producer

SAMANTHA HAKE

Editor JEREMY CARR

Camera Operators

SAMANTHA HAKE TRAVIS WEARS

Consulting Producer

JON KROLL

Original Music PHIL FUREY

Colorist

SEAN STACK

Sound Design CURTIS FRITSCH

Magic Man

DAVID NACHMAN

Post Production Services AlphaDogs, Inc.


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Drone Operator SEAN AIREIL

Production Assistant

ABIGAIL LIEBERMAN

Interns EMORY HALL

RACHEL STROKHORB

Special Thanks to: ROBYN, PARKER & TYLER FRAMPTON

ALEX DAMIAN KELLY, KYLE & EVIE FISHER LESLIE & JADE RATTERMAN

THE CITY OF OVERLAND PARK KCPT- PBS KHSB-KC

Fiscal Sponsorship

INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION

Additional Music COURTESY OF TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX (BENJAMIN ZEITLIN & DAN ROMER-FRIEDMAN); ADAM CRYSTAL AND MATTHEW ST. LAWRENCE

In Memory of Allie “Little Owl” Fisher

With gratitude to all who BELIEVE:

TOM AND ANN ISENBERG IRV ROBINSON AND ELLEN MILLER THE LEVIN FAMILY FOUNDATION

BARRY AND CINDY POTOKER


world premiere – tribeca film festival...already had a huge viral impact through social media;...

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