Open Call: Pitch Reels

The Pitch:

"Welcoming Bush, but waiting for Obama!" was one of many billboards splattered on the main road in Monrovia, welcoming President George W. Bush to Liberia - the Land of Liberty - during his recent five-country trip to Africa.

It's not surprising that this West African country is so wrapped up in American politics. The country is sometimes referred to as "America's Stepchild" - and was "founded" by freed American slaves in 1822. Having emerged from a 14-year civil war that ended in 2003 when George Bush demanded that dictator Charles Taylor leave the country, and hailing the first female president on the African continent, Liberia is in a unique position to give commentary on whether a white Republican or a black or female Democrat candidate should become the next U.S. President.

"LIBERIA??? CHECK!!" is a short hybrid documentary whose concept was developed from a suggestion one Liberian youth gave me during my recent trip there. "Since the outcome of the election has such an impact on the rest of the world, shouldn't we all be allowed to vote?"

My proposed film mixes my recently shot footage in the country with a mock debate and election with high school students from Park Hill in Staten Island - one of the largest Liberian refugee and immigrant communities in the U.S. Highlighting little-known historical facts about U.S.-Liberian relations with personal perspectives about who should be the next U.S. President and why, "LIBERIA??? CHECK!" is an exploration into young Liberians concerns and gives an insightful and interesting look at the potential - and implications - that American politics will have on the next Liberian generation.