What Is Still Dreaming

STILL DREAMING is the multi-award winning, uproarious film about the powers of creativity, and how engaging in art-making can deeply enrich our lives at any age.

At The Lillian Booth Actors Home just outside New York City, a group of long-retired Broadway entertainers dive into a production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and find that nothing is what it seems to be. With a play that is usually about young love and sex farce, this ensemble finds that for them, the themes of perception, reality and dreaming deeply resonate.

This wistful, honest, and frequently hilarious documentary follows the rehearsals as opening night approaches. Tempers flare, health concerns abound, and disaster seems imminent. But as these former entertainers forge ahead, they realize that creativity is a magical force of renewal.

“A Gem! Unforgettable!”

– San Jose Mercury News

“Touching, Funny, Thought-provoking”

– NorthJersey.com

“Enchanting! Engaging! Dazzling!”

– Shakespearances.com

“Intriguing…Evocative!”

– Variety


THE POWER OF CREATIVITY

STILL DREAMING takes us on a very special journey to the heart and soul of creativity. This story shows us how important it is to explore, grow and express ourselves at every age.

The film’s unforgettable characters include:

  • a Broadway singer who finds she still has a thrilling talent that moves people to tears
  • a pianist who’s severe Parkinson’s and scoliosis abate when she’s playing nearly concert-level Debussey, Gershwin and Rodgers & Hammerstein
  • A Bob Fosse dancer who is wheelchair-bound, but to his surprise finds he can act
  • a life-long housewife who discovers her calling as a stand-up comedienne

INSPIRE YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS

STILL DREAMING is inspiring people across the globe to engage in the arts for better health and happiness.
Studies have proven that Arts & Aging lead to:

  • Increase in Happiness
  • Increase in Social Support
  • Increased Memory
  • Increased Comprehension
  • Increased Problem Solving
  • Improvements in Word Recall
  • Improvements in Story Recall
  • Improvements in Verbal Fluency
  • Decrease in Loneliness
  • Decrease in Isolation

Watch the film and get your family inspired!


Still Dreaming In The Press



MEET THE FILMMAKERS:

imagesHank Rogerson and Jilann Spitzmiller are a husband-wife team and have been making films together since they met at Dartmouth College in 1985. Their passion is documentary filmmaking with compelling characters and strong storylines. STILL DREAMING is Hank and Jilann’s latest film. Their previous documentary feature, SHAKESPEARE BEHIND BARS, was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and continues to be a cult favorite. The team has won dozens of awards and their work has been broadcast around the world on outlets including BBC, Al Jazeera, Canal +, Sundance Channel and PBS. Jilann and Hank are also the co-founders of DocuMentors, a full-service website and mentoring service for documentary filmmakers needing resources, information and support.

STILL DREAMING is the team’s second film on Aging. Their first film together, BLESS ME WITH A GOOD LIFE, was about Native American elders and was used to advocate in Congress for equal funding for Native elder programs. Jilann and Hank were both very close to their grandparents and are passionate about making life better for our elders.

Speaking Engagements

Jilann and Hank have shown STILL DREAMING at dozens of conferences, events, and film festivals.

Their presentation provides insightful context and information about the huge benefits for older adults when they engage in the Arts, as well as wonderful inside stories on making STILL DREAMING, including:

  • Why they made the film
  • How it helped them to reframe Aging
  • How everyone can benefit from engaging in the Arts

Learn more about inviting the filmmakers to your next event!


Share The Film With Your Community

Featured at major conferences and film festivals throughout the US, STILL DREAMING has been inspiring elders and their caregivers to step up their game and get involved in the arts. And it’s paying off! The arts can significantly improve happiness, health and quality of life for older adults.
Reserve your screening now!

Success Stories

“Still Dreaming was a home run for our group. The film was compelling and beautiful and the discussion panel was engaging and stimulating. This was one of our most successful annual meeting opening sessions.”

– Donna Wagner, President Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE)

“Your film was the perfect start to our Spring Conference. It was so inspiring.”

– Cheryl Wichman, Education Coordinator, LeadingAge NE

“We were so pleased to have “Still Dreaming” be a part of the 2016 Aging in America Conference Movie Night. The film’s themes and spirit resonated with our participants. After a long day of workshops, the room was full and a lively Q and A period ensued into the evening. Bravo!”

-Krista Brown, Director of Education,American Society on Aging


Primary Partners

Screening Partners