THE GIRL FROM THE VILLAGE: A STORY OF HOPE, 40min., USA
Directed by Billy Surges
Join us on a journey of educational hope for students in poverty-stricken Kenya. Surging Films teams up with The Weiss Scholarship Foundation to bring the stories of various Kenyan scholarship recipients, hopefuls, and alumni to the forefront. In particular, we follow Christine Akoth's journey as she travels from Kenya to America in hopes to fulfill an educational journey at Elmhurst University. Getting their start in Dago, Kenya, The Weiss Scholarship Foundation’s mission is to empower children with the gift of education while working to build a world where every child gets a great education.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
My high school teacher, Brett Weiss, started this foundation when I was in his class. I had followed the mission for many years and when the opportunity arose to head to Kenya with him and tell this story, I had to jump on it. After meeting the people of Kenya and Christine, I realized that this story is a lot bigger than any of us could have first imagined. There are 100s of incredible stories over there waiting to be told.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took 2 years from the time I took off for Kenya to the finished product.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Inspiring, yet eye-opening.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Basically being a one-man crew traveling to Kenya and then editing together hundreds of hours of footage into a short doc.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
This was incredibly valuable! It really meant a lot that the audience feedback understood the filmmaking aspect of it as well as the content.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
After I graduated high school, I was Zac Efron's double in a movie and that sparked my passion.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Probably Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, or Bad Boys II. Guilty pleasures.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
The podcast would be great!

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
No issues!

10. What is your favorite meal?
Chicken Parm.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
We are actually creating our own film festival in Chicago called the Chicago Film Frenzy! As well as beginning pre production work on a tv/web series.