The Second Anniversary

The second anniversary of Justice Is Mind takes place on August 18, 2015 at Cinemagic.

It was just about two years ago to the day and I still remember driving into Boston during a torrential downpour. I was on my way to a production house that was making our theatrical DVDs and nothing was going to stop me. Our world premiere in Albany, New York was just over a week away and the clock was ticking.  But no sooner did I see a sample of Justice Is Mind come to life and all worries were gone—we had a completed film!

In three days the second anniversary screening of Justice Is Mind will take place on August 18, 2015 at Cinemagic in Sturbridge. From screenings in the United States to our international premiere in the Mediterranean Sea on Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth, this journey has been nothing less than an incredible one.

The world premiere of Justice Is Mind on August 18, 2013 at the Palace Theater in Albany, New York.

But I have not been alone in this journey. I have had the good fortune to not only share it with the actors and crew that have attended the screenings with me, but the opportunity to meet our theatrical audiences directly. Yes, VOD is great, but meeting your audience is the best market research you could ever achieve for your film.

I have helmed the “Justice Is Mind” project from its inception in 2010. While times have been mostly smooth sailing, there have been those epic storms you encounter from time to time. This is an industry of vast egos with “experts” only too quick to tell you “what to do” while they have their hand out looking to get paid. I can tell you unequivocally that they have been removed from my bridge. It’s your bridge, you have to do what you believe is best for the entire ship.

Mass Premiere

Maine Premiere

West Coast Premiere

But every captain has admirals that they rely on. On that note I could not be more thankful to Mary Wenninger and Stefan Knieling for not only seeing my vision, but investing in it and being there for me throughout the process. Mary has been my best friend since second grade and, truth be told, our friendship has grown since they came on board in 2012. That was my initial worry. While I have always wanted to make a feature film, a lifelong friendship is more important. But it is through Justice Is Mind that I have made new friends and expanded my network exponentially. When my next project leaves port, we will sail beyond our five year mission (sounds like Star Trek doesn’t it!).

However, there is one important matter when attending a second anniversary celebration of a film. What to wear. It won’t be black-tie. That look was reserved for the world and international premieres. But a second anniversary should be something that’s dressy but comfortable.

Jil Sander