Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) champions Southern documentary makers and stories. Inspired by our belief in the power of media to change lives, we provide documentarians with resources, including grants, fiscal sponsorship, and mentorship–all to promote Southern stories and lower barriers for documentary makers and underrepresented voices.

This live event will be followed by a conversation with Refuge Co-Directors Erin Bernhardt and Din Blankenship and

SDF Artistic Director Christopher Everett. For more information about SDF visit: 

Southern Documentary Fund

Refuge

Din Blankenship

Erin Bernhardt

Katie Couric

Katharine Garrison

Chris Buckley

Heval Kelli

Melissa Buckley

Arno Michaelis

Ted Terry

Amina Osman

Joseph East

Geralyn Dreyfous

Ted Haddock

David Hudakoc

Emmanuel Jal

Mary Beth Minnis

Pat Mitchell

More Productions

Common Pictures

Sabrina Merage Naim

Evoke Media

Stephen Nemeth

Brenda Robinson

Patty Quillin

Regina K. Scully

Caroline Tucker

REFUGE is an Academy Award qualified feature-length documentary that follows a leader in a white nationalist hate group who finds healing from the people he once hated - a Muslim heart doctor and his town of refugees. Chris is a husband and father, a veteran, and until recently, a leader in the KKK. He started hating Muslims when the planes hit the Twin Towers on 9/11, but is forced to confront his hate when he receives a text from Muslim refugee, Heval. REFUGE is set in the most ethnically diverse square mile in America - Clarkston, Georgia - and follows a Syrian Kurd, a former Klansman, and a town of refugees who seek belonging in an increasingly polarized and isolated America. REFUGE illustrates the roots of hate, its devastating impacts, and ultimately how it can be overcome. Ultimately, the film uncovers what is possible when we leave the security of our tribes and what is at stake for our country if we don’t.

Documentary

Christopher Everett