What do American children experience when their fathers or mothers go to war - and when they come home? |
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More than two million American children have a parent who has served in the war in Afghanistan or Iraq – or both. But most Americans are far from the front lines, as our country’s all-volunteer military represents less than one percent of the population. This difference in experiences can create a gap in understanding the impacts of war. While many civilians want to know more, they lack ways to connect.
Veteran Children is a documentary film project that illuminates the remarkable strengths, challenges, and perspectives of America's military children. The film provides a unique lens as families and children tell us their own stories in their own words.
The film raises awareness of the military’s role in our democracy and promotes understanding of those who serve and sacrifice – soldiers, families and children.
Why do these stories matter?
For all American children age 16 or younger, our country has been at war their entire lives. What have military children and families experienced? How do we hear their stories, learn from them, and connect to them? How can we bridge the military-civilian divide? This project will address these important questions and invite all Americans to join in the conversation.
What inspired the film project?
This project was started in 2013 by the mother of a combat veteran of the Iraq war who wondered how to bring Americans together to have more open discussions about war. After a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign, we made a trailer and a short film, Veteran Kids. It was selected to screen at four film festivals and many other venues, including university campuses and the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC.
The team has since expanded to include another veteran mother, respected film makers and community leaders. Going forward we will be completing Veteran Children, a full-length program for Public Television that will first be broadcast by WFYI in Indianapolis.
Veteran Children is a documentary film project that illuminates the remarkable strengths, challenges, and perspectives of America's military children. The film provides a unique lens as families and children tell us their own stories in their own words.
The film raises awareness of the military’s role in our democracy and promotes understanding of those who serve and sacrifice – soldiers, families and children.
Why do these stories matter?
For all American children age 16 or younger, our country has been at war their entire lives. What have military children and families experienced? How do we hear their stories, learn from them, and connect to them? How can we bridge the military-civilian divide? This project will address these important questions and invite all Americans to join in the conversation.
What inspired the film project?
This project was started in 2013 by the mother of a combat veteran of the Iraq war who wondered how to bring Americans together to have more open discussions about war. After a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign, we made a trailer and a short film, Veteran Kids. It was selected to screen at four film festivals and many other venues, including university campuses and the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC.
The team has since expanded to include another veteran mother, respected film makers and community leaders. Going forward we will be completing Veteran Children, a full-length program for Public Television that will first be broadcast by WFYI in Indianapolis.
Our film laurels for "Veteran Kids" - a short documentary film
created as a part of the Veteran Children project
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Creative Visions Foundation is the proud fiscal agent of Veteran Children. Creative Visions Foundation is a publicly supported 501©3, which supports Creative Activists who use the power of media and the arts to affect positive change in the world. All donations are tax deductible.
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