We try and support many people in our neighbourhood. Jon from Animal Mother Films approached us about getting the word out about getting support for their documentary film, With Glowing Hearts. Read his guest post on his initiative below.

We’ve seen in the past few years the growing influence of “citizen journalism” on the mainstream media, and we are confident that the Vancouver Games may prove to be a watershed moment in this “crowdsourcing” of the news. The fact that all it now takes to live-stream events to a potential global audience is a unit which fits into your pocket (as opposed to a million dollar broadcasting van) is tremendously democratizing.

Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is an excellent example of this situation. This impoverished, often-maligned community suffers from a host of social ills, yet finds itself located in the heart of one of the most desirable, wealthy and tech-savvy cities on Earth. With the 2010 Winter Olympic Games set to hit the city in a few short weeks, an intense global media spotlight is expected to follow, and residents of the DTES are bracing themselves for yet another onslaught of stories about the “hell” that is their home. What many people don’t get to see, however, is the vibrant community that exists there, and the multitude of people who are dedicated to finding a “hand up” rather than a “handout”. Nor will the public see the impact of the Games on this highly marginalized community in Vancouver’s historic core.

For the past year, we at Animal Mother Films have been producing a film called With Glowing Hearts about a remarkable group of people living in the DTES, and documenting their efforts to use social media technologies to empower themselves, their neighbours and strengthen the bonds of a community bracing itself for the worst.  Through initiatives like W2, Fearless Media, and AHA Media, we’ve seen stories, histories and new perspectives shared with a potentially global audience and the immensely empowering feeling that is having your voice heard.  We’re interested in the different range of coverage of the Games that will come out the traditional vs. the new media and where those new voices are coming from.  We’re also interested in the True North Media House, an ad hoc collection of some of some of the city’s social media intellegentsia who are determined to keep redefining the boundaries of social media and have a damn good time doing it.

The long term effects, positive or negative, of hosting the Games are anyone’s guess right now, but we at AMF feel that it is our privilege and duty to document this pivotal moment in our city’s history.  By getting involved with us and the groups whose efforts we are looking to highlight, we are offering you the opportunity to help support the gift of communications and also ensure that history is able to take a complete view of what happens in Vancouver this February. We hope that as members yourselves of Vancouver’s social media community, you’ll see the value in contributing to the production of a documentary which highlights this highly innovative and inspirational initiative and solidify Vancouver’s global reputation as a leading center of Internet technologies.

The primary forms of support we’re looking for right now are either financial or reputational.  Now, please don’t just glaze over the first one because truly every little bit helps and the process is quite quick and painless through the “Chip In” widget on our site and all contributions will be acknowledged on both the site and film.

By reputational, I mean help us get the word out about what we’re doing and the efforts of the people we’re highlighting.  Follow us @wghthemovie and encourage other people to check it out as well, once again every little bit helps.

Thanks for your time and consideration and please don’t hesitate to contact me at jon@animalmotherfilms.com if you’d like some more information.