O Pioneer

Professor Aaron Wilcox from University of North Carolina Wilmington served as a panelist at our screening at?#jengosplayhouse. He shared some inspiring thoughts after watching O Pioneer. Here they are for you, too. Don't give up, especially now. Cucalorus Film Foundation |?South Arts | University of North Carolina Wilmington

???? results September 21. Three category nominations for O Pioneer!

O Pioneer is among a lineup of thirteen films selected for the 2024-2025 South Arts Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers! This long-running South Arts program connects US-based documentary filmmakers with communities throughout the South for screenings and conversations around important stories, topics, and the art of filmmaking. The program is made possible through a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Ticketing and schedule information for the Southern Circuit screenings can be found on our film’s website (www.opioneer.com) along with a few other screenings throughout the region. Some are FREE screenings near you, so please be sure to take a peek. We hope to see you there. Country Roads Angel Network | South Arts | National Endowment for the Arts

Review. Thanks, Steve. ?? Exciting updates coming soon. Coat of Arms

Inspiration comes from many places. The legend, Mr. Rogers offers it in spades. While Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was not a stylistic reference for O Pioneer, Mr Rogers’ personal focus on reflection came through particularly in James’ story arc as he asks us to do more listening and offers openness to the outside world. Coat of Arms James Morley

Music is fire. It illuminates the emotion of a scene. Sparks imagination when paired with abstract visuals. And melds stories, themes, and acts. O Pioneer features some of the finest musicians in the world. We were so lucky they agreed to share their gifts with this film. From Bowie to Polo & Pan to Ka?a Kater and Ho-Ling Tang your ears are in for a treat with the O Pioneer soundtrack. Look at these wonderful humans! Coat of Arms

Film is collaborative. It's rarely done alone. And O Pioneer is better because so many hands molded it. These photos are from behind the scenes of one of the final and the largest shoots for the film. We captured these narration scenes with?Ka?a Kater?last, after production with the participants and animated scenes were complete. We were almost done with the film, but realized we needed a voice to tether our characters and explore the pioneer history and theme, so we asked Kaia to take a creative leap with us. Thank you, Ka?a! Production partnership with?Mtn Craft,?Joel Wolpert Coat of Arms?was a pleasure. Photos by?Grace Lawson???

So inspired by this fine human! Ka?a Kater!

It’s a little embarrassing to have someone show you so much love. Why is that?!? Love is something we should shout from the rooftops, share often, and receive more comfortably. So humbly, here we go. These are some words from a colleague, a leader, an artist, a friend, and a soul we know is quite special named Justin Litton. Justin reminds us of something very important. Our affection for O Pioneer, its crew, and the people in the film transcends the final cut. It continues with the audiences, supporters, and communities that we get the very special chance to share the film with. This is not normal. Maybe it’s a dream. But we’re awake and absorbing it all as graciously as we can. Thank you, Justin, for believing in the magic of movies.