The 2010 Garrett Scott Development Grant has been awarded to Mike Brown for 25 to Life and April Hayes and Katia Maguire for Jessica Gonzales vs. The United States of America. Thom Powers and Rachael Rakes will join the grant recipients for a presentation of short excerpts from their works-in-progress.

25 to Life

Mike Brown

In 1980, a blood transfusion saved the life of 18-month old William Brawner. Three years later, his mother told him that he had a disease called HIV, and it was a secret that he had to keep to himself. And he did, for over 20 years. Now, William can bare his secret no more. He seeks redemption from the women of his promiscuous past and embarks on a new phase of life with his pregnant wife, who is HIV-negative. 25 to Life is a unique and intimate feature documentary that tackles the tough social issues of sex, race, and manhood, while providing unprecedented access into a life and a family living with the AIDS virus. Above all, this story illuminates the ability of the human spirit to rise above devastating circumstances and discover why life is always worth fighting for.

Jessica Gonzales vs. The United States of America

April Hayes, Katia Maguire

In 1999, Jessica Gonzales’s three daughters were abducted by her estranged husband and killed after the Colorado police refused to enforce a domestic violence restraining order against him and ignored Jessica’s repeated calls for help. Jessica sued the police and her town in Colorado and pursued her case all the way to the United States Supreme Court and then to an international human rights tribunal, seeking answers and justice for her daughters’ deaths and hoping to prevent this tragedy from befalling other women and children. Jessica Gonzales vs. The United States of America is the story of one woman who, in the wake of unspeakable tragedy and hardship, reclaims her voice and discovers her power to heal herself and others.