FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE








SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (January 28, 2014) – San Rafael-based Alcohol Justice officially announced today a new film event for the Bay Area – The REEL Recovery Film Festival San Francisco Bay Area Edition. The four-day festival will present select feature-length and short, fictional and factual alcohol and drug addiction themed films that highlight the disease as well as the hope and opportunity for recovery. There will be expert panel discussions following most of the screenings.

“We are bringing the REEL Recovery Film Festival to San Francisco and Marin in partnership with Studio City-based Writers In Treatment, founders of the 6 year-old multi-city film festival,” stated Michael Scippa, Director of Public Affairs for Alcohol Justice. “We are holding the event during National Alcohol Awareness Month to more publicly and effectively bring alcoholism and addiction out of the closet, to reduce the stigma, and raise public awareness that it is not a moral failing but a devastating disease that, like other potentially fatal diseases, requires specialized treatment,” Scippa added.

Such films as "Flight," starring Denzel Washington, and the documentaries “Sober Indian, Dangerous Indian,” “The Honour of All,” “Bill W,” and Russell Brand: My Life Without Drugs” will be screened. There will also be an opening night symposium hosted by William Cope Moyers, author of the New York Times best seller, "Broken: My Story of Addiction and Recovery." Mr. Moyers will be joined by Jan Wahl, Michael Pritchard, and other special guests in a candid conversation called “Chasing the Muse – When You’re Stone Cold Sober.”  

“A film festival detailing the real stories and struggles of the recovery community is a welcome contribution to the San Francisco Bay Area film scene,” said Supervisor Jane Kim.  “I’m also excited that the Reel Recovery Film Festival has chosen to highlight Delancey Street’s incredible work by screening the films in their community theater space in District 6.  It’s the perfect partnership.”

The four-day event will take place primarily at the beautiful Delancey Street Foundation theater on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. There will also be special sessions for youth and families at the California Film Institute’s Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael with screenings of "Behind the Orange Curtain," and “On Life’s Terms: Mothers in Recovery.”

“The Reel Recovery Film Festival has shown itself to be of great value. The idea of capitalizing on this potent media to tell the story of addiction and its devastation is critical. Even more important is the offering of hope and courage in these stories of individuals, families and even communities who have found a solution,” stated Patrick Haggerson, MA, ICADC, Betty Ford Institute Program Director of Ethno-Cultural Activities. “I believe a great deal of gratitude is owed to the Reel Recovery Film Festival Director, Leonard Buschel, for his amazing efforts in bringing this festival into reality. I also believe the potential for the use of this media in altering public opinion regarding alcoholism and recovery has barely been tapped,” Haggerson added.

It is the policy of the REEL Recovery Film Festival to charge a nominal ticket price for most of the films ($5), and to allow anyone admittance regardless of their ability to pay, if seats are available. Ticket sales will commence in March through Brown Paper Tickets.

“One of our goals for the film festival is to encourage public policy advocacy for the prevention of alcohol and other drug-related harm by showing their impact, especially on youth,” said Scippa. “We are hopeful the event will also begin to engage and activate the recovery community as a powerful advocacy constituency.”

Sponsors of the REEL Recovery Film Festival San Francisco Bay Area edition currently include Center Point, Duffy’s Napa Valley Rehab, Kaiser Permanente, Recovery Station TV, The Salesforce Foundation and numerous individuals. All income beyond expenses will support the work of Alcohol Justice and Writers In Treatment, both 501(C)(3) non-profit organizations.

“Having lived in the Bay Area for seventeen years, it is with unadulterated euphoria and pride that I bring this eclectic REEL Recovery Film Festival to the enigmatic sanctuary city of San Francisco and environs,” said Leonard Buschel, Founder of Writers In Treatment and the REEL Recovery Film Festival. “ We at Writers In Treatment are extremely grateful to Alcohol Justice and Delancey Street for their roles in making this celebration of recovery and great films possible.”

For More Information go to: FilmFestSFBay.org