The Impact
A successful film is one that lives within you long
after the credits roll. Our goal from the very start of this project was to
make The Year I Grew an Inch a film that not only appeals to an
audience, but also inspires them to reflect beyond the screen. We feel this is
a story that needs to be told because it is a unique side to history, informing
people about the extremes that the French Resistance went to during the Nazi
occupation of France.
This story goes way beyond a “coming-of-age” story for
the protagonist, Otto: it reveals the inner conflicts of someone who is torn
between wanting to help free France from Nazi occupation and tyranny, and his
compassion and personal convictions of right and wrong— even to the extent of
risking his own life by helping the enemy escape. Otto’s story of extending
himself into the shoes of the enemy and recognizing he’s there to destroy a
German family causes each of us to wonder what we would have done if we were in
his place.
There are countless moments in our world’s past that are
waiting to be told, as this deep, moving story of Otto’s growth is surely one
of them. The Year I Grew an Inch allows us to combine our
two longtime passions of filmmaking and history.
With your help, it would be an honor to
bring this story to life to share it with audiences on the domestic and
international film festival circuit.
Other Ways You Can Help
We understand that not everyone is in the position to
contribute financially. We’d be forever grateful if you could help by “sharing”
The
Year I Grew an Inch campaign and our dedicated Facebook page with your friends
and family with the hope that they will be interested in our story too. Feel free to “like” our dedicated Facebook
page (https://www.facebook.com/TheYearIGrewAnInch)
to help get the word out as well!
Every single dollar counts towards reaching our fundraising
goal. Please help us accomplish our dream with making this film!
Creative Team
Jonathan Dee - Co-Writer & Director
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Jonathan Dee received his Bachelor of Arts in film directing and art history from Loyola Marymount University in 2006. Upon graduation, he was the first non-MFA student to be meritoriously awarded a Sony TAG Fellowship for writing and directing. His Thesis film, Lily, went on to win numerous awards including Best Director and Best Film at the Directors Guild of America. Since then, Jonathan has directed commercial and promotional work for luxury brands including Elie Tahari, Audi, and Lexus. Jonathan has directed short films in Greece, South Africa, and England. He has acted as 2nd Unit director on feature films in Nigeria and Afghanistan. In 2009, a collection of his photographs from Afghanistan were published in the book entitled, The Salang Pass. Jonathan is currently a graduate degree candidate in the Columbia University Directing MFA program in New York City where he has served as teaching assistant to professors Eric Mendelsohn, Annette Insdorf, and Andrew Sarris. Jonathan recently wrote and directed a Columbia thesis film, A Mighty Nice Man, adapted from a Patricia Highsmith short story and starring Kristen Connelly (Cabin in the Woods, House of Cards) and Tony-nominated actor, Billy Magnussen (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike).
Meg Wechter - Producer
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Meg Wechter is pursuing her MFA degree in Creative Producing from Columbia University. Coming from a background in film with a BFA in Film Production from the University of Central Florida, Meg has produced numerous short films. Most recently, Meg has been chosen as producer of the Columbia University 2013 Film Festival trailer, co-producer of the Columbia thesis film, Anchor, as well as Associate Producer of the Patricia Highsmith short story adaptation, A Mighty Nice Man, that won the HBO Development Award and was also written and directed by Jonathan Dee. Her credits also include Associate Producer of the feature film, Eye of the Hurricane, soon to be released by Entertainment One. Meg has interned in Los Angeles for the production company, Voltage Pictures, whose principal, Nicolas Chartier, won the Best Picture Academy Award for The Hurt Locker. Meg's most recent internships at The Weinstein Company and the world renowned talent agency, WME, have ignited an interest in representation, development and packaging.
Diana Golts - Co-Producer
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Diana Golts comes from a background in broadcast journalism and communication studies, and is passionate about fictional stories that incorporate real-life events. Diana is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Producing from Columbia University. Prior to graduate school, Diana worked as a producer at Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), a Canadian national television station that makes media accessible. Diana has translated and transcribed documentary films that have been screened at Hot Docs, NXNW, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and the Rhode Island International Film Festival. Recently, she won the International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) Program of the Year Award in the On Location category for her audio documentary, My Personal Journey to Israel and the Holy Land. Diana is trilingual and seeks stories that deal with history, culture, immigration and human connections.
Dina Emam - Co-Producer
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Dina Emam recently produced a documentary on the Egyptian Revolution titled, From Queens to Cairo, which has been nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Queens World Film Festival. She holds a BS degree from New York University in Marketing and International Business and is now currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Producing from Columbia University. Prior to graduate school, Dina worked at MTV Networks in New York City on numerous award shows and specials such as, Do Something! Awards, NewNowNext Awards, Storytellers: Kings of Leon, Storytellers: Cee Lo Green, Storytellers: Mumford and Sons, CMT Crossroads: Sting & Vince Gill and the Daytime Emmy Award winning show, Vh1's Big Morning Buzz Live. Her passion extends across anything that has to do with music, culture, world history and the human condition.
Christopher Ferguson, ICG - Director of Photography
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Christopher Ferguson is a Director of Photography based in Los Angeles. He was the youngest cameraman ever to be admitted to the International Cinematographers' Guild, I.A.T.S.E. Local 600. His career began with an M.F.A in Cinematography from the London International Film School. Over the past decade, he has shot a variety of feature films, music videos, and commercials. Notable projects include the feature; Have Love, Will Travel, which took best picture at Cinevegas; and the Australian rock band, Juke Kartel’s hit music video, Save Me. His core strength as a cinematographer comes from a decade of lighting experience, honing his skill in the commercial world under the tutelage of such great cameramen as Jeff Cronenweth, Rodrigo Prieto, and Claudio Miranda. This will be Christopher’s fourth collaboration with Jonathan Dee. He previously acted as cinematographer on the short film Birds of Paradise, the commercial Elie Tahari: Esprit de Corps, and most recently A Mighty Nice Man.
Skip Lievsay - Sound Designer
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Skip Lievsay is a New York-based sound editor and sound designer for film and television. Lievsay has worked with filmmakers including The Coen Brothers (Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, The Lady Killers), Martin Scorsese (Last Temptation of Christ, Goodfellas, Cape Fear, Casino, Age of Innocence), Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X), Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs), Terrence Malick (The New World) and Robert Altman (Prêt-à-Porter). Other notable film credits include: Men in Black, Y Tu Mamá También, Big Fish, Men in Black 2, Get Shorty, Water for Elephants, Valkyrie and I Am Legend. In January 2007, Skip received two Academy Award nominations - for Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing - for his work on Ethan Coen and Joel Coen's No Country for Old Men. In 2011, he was nominated in the same categories for the film, True Grit.