Many of you know that when I first met Emilie of Baby Loving Mama I was pregnant with triplets. Three very much wanted, prayed for and fought for babies after years of infertility. At twenty-two weeks these three beautiful babies flew to the arms of Jesus a mere three hours after they went from the safety of my belly to my arms. Born too early and before medical viability we were with them for the entirety of their short lives and those moments have changed our lives forever. This is a story that’s hard to tell and much of that is because the world around loss parents doesn’t truly understand our pain. (To read more of our story visit my personal blog, Blessed with More.)
Some of that could change in the coming year as an independent feature film, “Return to Zero” has been produced to help shed a light on this journey. This is a story about stillbirth and has the potential to help us break the silence that surrounds the sweet names of the children that nobody sees; Alice, Elliot and Alexis. Enter to win an original print I designed in their memory below!
About “Return to Zero”
“Return to Zero” is an independent film starring Minnie Driver, Paul Adelstein, Alfred Molina, Connie Nielsen, Andrea Anders, Kathy Baker and Sarah Jones. Written and Directed by Sean Hanish, the film is based on the true story of Sean and his wife, Kiley, and their experience of stillbirth. Sean produced the film along with Paul Jaconi-Biery.
Harnessing the power of social media, the producers of the independent feature film “Return to Zero” have turned to the community that helped crowd-fund the film to spread the word.
Faced with the task of convincing distributors, who are key to getting independent films into theaters, that there is a market for the film, the producers of “Return to Zero” are empowering you to help market and promote this drama centered around stillbirth, which occurs over 26,000 times a year in the U.S. alone, with 4 million babies dying annually worldwide.
In just over a week, more than 2,300 people from over 40 countries have volunteered to be Local Leaders for the film — each Local Leader is charged with getting 100 people to pledge to see the film on opening weekend in their community. In under 16 days, we have gathered over 56,000 pledges.
I signed up to become a Local Leader the moment I heard about this opportunity to help get this film into theaters. Would you be willing to sign this pledge form and help us petition the distributors? Please help me be a voice for my children.
“The response to our Local Leaders push has been astounding,” said Hanish. “We’re going to be able to show distributors that not only is this a great film with some truly amazing performances, but that there is a built-in audience that will do whatever it takes to see it when it is released in theaters.”
“The sky’s the limit,” said Hanish. “We are truly grateful to have the support of so many people who are passionate about getting this important film seen by the world. Together we are Shattering the Silence, one person and one community at a time.”
For More Information Please Contact: Paul Jaconi Biery, 323-633-1440, pjbiery@gmail.com
PLEDGE HERE
Please pledge to see Return to Zero. (You can enter my name, Janelle Wourms, as your Local Leader.) To learn more about the film visit the Return to Zero website.
GIVEAWAY
Inspired to make a difference by helping this film make it to theaters and ultimately help other loss families I’ve decided to give away one of my new typographic prints to FIVE winners who pledge to see the film.
This is the one and only song I sang to my babies as I held them in my arms. This print will be emailed to the winners in a high resolution digital JPEG format sized at 8″ x 10″ (I’m happy to change the background color and/or resize upon request within resolution limitations.). *Frame not included.
RULES
- You will NOT be spammed. Email address is required to verify the pledge and will only be used to notify when the film is distributed.
- NOTE: if you are in the METRO or surrounding area of Minnesota please list your city as Minneapolis as this area is in the running for top honors for the most pledges nationwide!
Disclosure: Portions of this post are taken from the Return to Zero press release however all thoughts are my own.
Megan says
Soooo beautiful!
Shannon sasseville says
I am pledging in honor of my four angel babies. Jeremiah, Sarah Jane, and our 2 unnamed Angel babies.
Amie says
I am seeing Return to Zero in memory of William and James.
Melissa Sullivan says
I would love this print in honor of my three angels – Liam, Mara, and Kyler. <3
Vicky Ratcliff says
I want to see this film, Back to Zero, in honor of my brother, Kenneth, and my son, Ryan, who share the same birthday, though decades apart. I hope it will help me with my ongoing grieving process. I would love to have some of my sunshine back.
nannypanpan says
i personally have dealth with miscarriage so it’s very dear to my heart
Janelle says
Thank you and I’m so sorry for your loss. Please share with friends and family in honor of your child. Share their names here and say it outloud!
Amanda Alvarado says
My pledge was for our youngest daughter, Anastasia, who was stillborn at 30 weeks. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck.
Laura says
My pledge is for our son Josias who we were blessed to carry full term but delivered him still born with Trisomy 13. That was in November 2008 and will always miss him dearly…
Laura says
My pledge is for our son Josias who we were blessed to carry full term but delivered him still born with Trisomy 13. That was in November 2008 and will always miss him dearly…
Kristal Mazzola says
My pledge are for the 4 babies I lost to miscarriage and to all the many mothers I sadly know who have lost their babies do to a multitude of reasons. No mother should have to suffer the loss of a child.
Janelle says
Kristal: I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers continue for your son. Thank you for your pledge. Please share this page with your friends and family and use it as a beautiful reason to remember all of your children.
Janelle says
Thank you all. I’m so sorry for your loss. Please share their names here if you’d like.
June baby. October baby. Alice. Elliot. Alexis.
Christy Anderson says
My friend who lost her baby Shaylan a year ago.
Carrie Phelps says
My sister who lost her son Daniel.
Michele Spalding says
I am pledging in Memory of my 2 Angels, Alex Ember, who grew wings in my womb at 8 weeks, and our Daughter Ella Grace, who grew wings in my womb at 13 weeks, and in honor of our 2 rainbow babies Ryan and Liam. This sunject has been taboo for far to long. Break the Silence.
Tawnda Andrews says
Janelle that is a beautiful print!!! You amaze me!!! If I happen to win, give it to someone who deserves it far more then me:) LOVE to you!!
Tawnda
Janelle says
Ohhh thank you Tawnda! Please please spread the word among your friends and family to pledge and enter here if they’d like. We need final pledges in by Thursday if possible. The producers start meetings with distributors on Friday and these numbers will prove that there is an audience for this film!
Lea says
I am pledging to see Return to Zero in honour of my son, Nicholas Warren
Mary Beth Elderton says
In memory of Gary
Jessica says
In memory of Kaitlin Norman. My hometown 14 year old hero who passed in March. Please google Kaitlin Norman to read her incredible story. Live Like Kate!
Ashley Leonard says
I pledged for all my friends who have lost babies. I’ve never lost personally, but watched others suffer with loss
Linda Hollinday says
I am pledging to see this movie in honor of the multiple babies born in my immediate family who are angels in Heaven now. And to my sister and sister in laws who have to deal with the pain of that loss daily. I would never be as strong as they are. I will never take my daughter for granted.
Joshua, Annika, Andrew and Elionna
(always in our hearts)
Carolyn K says
I’m pledging in honor of our friends’ twins who are in heaven now
Buddy Garrett says
I want to see the movie to honor the memory of all the children.
Lily Kwan says
I would like to see this movie because it looks very interesting!
Sand says
I want to see it because I’ve had so many friends who’ve lost babies.
Janelle says
THANK YOU EVERYONE: 113,712 pledges by midnight Pacific time! Wow… great work everyone. Pledges are still welcome at that link (this giveaway is closed) if you forgot or didn’t have time yesterday but distributor meetings start today. You can ALWAYS say your babies’ names here however! #STILLBreakTheSilence