Washington, D.C. – The District of Columbia Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME) is pleased to recognize Andrea and Sean Fine as the July 2021 Filmmakers of the Month.
DC residents Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine are celebrated, critically acclaimed Oscar, Emmy, and Peabody award-winning filmmakers. Their unique, signature filmmaking approach is grounded in a commitment to engaging writing and story structure guided by Andrea, and Sean’s spectacular, visually compelling cinematography. Critics have hailed their filmmaking as “unflinching,” “spirit-raising,” and “visually ravishing.”
“We are very excited to be honored as the OCTFME Filmmakers of the Month. DC is our home, and we are very proud to be launching our new social impact studio, Change Content, here. DC has a wealth of artistic storytelling just waiting to be tapped into with a new community of changemakers, craving to make a difference,” said Sean and Andrea Fine.
Andrea’s path to filmmaking began as a philosophy major in college and learned the craft by working up the ranks in production, focusing on writing and story development. Sean, a 4th generation DC resident, began his filmmaking journey studying Marine Biology and Film and Cinematography at university. Sean’s parents were also accomplished documentary filmmakers.
Andrea and Sean first met working at National Geographic Television. In 2003 they married, and eventually left National Geographic to form their own independent documentary production company, Fine Films. It was their shared belief in the power of film and visual storytelling to challenge, educate, inform, and make a difference that pushed them to step out on their own. Starting their own production company allowed them the creative and editorial freedom to tell stories they were most passionate about.
The Fines 2007 feature documentary, War/Dance, an inspiring film about the power of music to heal and transform the lives of child soldiers victimized by the ravages of a civil war in Uganda won the 2007 Sundance Film Festival Award for Best Documentary Directing, was nominated for the Academy Award© for Best Documentary Feature in 2008; and in 2010 received Emmy Awards for Best Documentary and Best Cinematography.
Andrea’s and Sean’s 2013 documentary-short, Inocente, a coming-of-age story about a homeless 15-year-old Latina artist won the 2013 Academy Award© for Best Documentary Short Subject, the first “crowdfunded” film to earn an Oscar.
The Fines 2013 HBO original documentary feature Life According to Sam, which tells the story of Sam Berns and his fight to overcome the rare, degenerative aging disease progeria, premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and won both the 2013 Peabody Award and the 2014 Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking.
The Fines’ recent documentary feature, LFG, is a dramatic, behind-the-scenes look at the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s fight for equal pay and gender discrimination lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation. LFG had its world premiere June 17 at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and its local DMV premiere June 23 at AFI DOCS. The film is currently airing on HBO Max.
The Fines next feature documentary project will be a partnership with A24 about the transition of power in the American government. The film will explore both the history of Presidential administration transitions and investigate what let up to, as well as the aftermath of, the unprecedented January 6th Capitol insurrection.
In 2021, the Fines launched a new production and new impact media studio venture, Change Content. The Fines established Change Content with the goal to “develop true stories into unforgettable narratives and docs that upend the way viewers think and feel about critical issues.”
FILM CREDITS:
LFG (2021): Director, Producer
Life According to Sam (2013); Director, Producer
Inocente (2012); Director, Producer
War Dance (2007); Director, Producer
Social Media Handles:
Twitter: twitter.com/ChangeContent
Instagram: instagram.com/changecontent/
Website:
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ANDREA AND SEAN FINE DC RADIO INTERVIEW
Want to learn more about Andrea and Sean Fine and their work? Click HERE to listen to their DC Radio interview.
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About Filmmaker of the Month
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) launched the “Filmmaker of the Month” initiative as a vehicle for highlighting the talents and creative contributions of filmmakers that make the District of Columbia their home. The “Filmmaker of the Month” initiative is part of OCTFME’s mission to elevate the national and international profile of the District’s talented filmmakers.
***If you know of a filmmaker that would make a great future “Filmmaker of the Month,” you can send OCTFME your recommendations using this nomination form.
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About OCTFME
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) produces and broadcasts programming for the District of Columbia’s public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable television channels and digital radio station; regulates the District of Columbia’s cable television service providers; provides customer service for cable subscribers; and supports a sustainable film, music, and entertainment creative economy and labor market in the District of Columbia.
OCTFME operates and manages the District’s government television access channels: the District Council Channel (DCC), the District of Columbia Network (DCN), and the District Knowledge Network (DKN). OCTFME’s award-winning content provides resourceful information on government activity, education, current events, history, music, arts, and entertainment. OCTFME manages and programs DC Radio 96.3 HD4 digital radio station, the District of Columbia’s first government radio station in partnership with Howard University’s WHUR. It is one of only two full-power, city-managed and programmed radio stations in the country
OCTFME provides production support services that advance film, television, video, entertainment, interactive, multimedia, and digital media content creators. These services include permitting; location scouting; production support; job placement assistance; workforce development; and the DC Film, Television and Entertainment Rebate Fund.
OCTFME supports the creative economy through Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents: 202Creates initiative, administering programs supporting the growth and sustainability of the creative industries in all 8 Wards of the District.
OCTFME provides additional support to the Creative community through the Creative Affairs Office (CAO). CAO showcases and preserves the District of Columbia’s rich creative communities throughout all 8 Wards. CAO builds sustainability in the creative community through policy, programming, and education which further expands the pathway to the middle class for the creative workforce. CAO coordinates public, private, and community partners to accomplish all goals and create equitable and inclusive opportunities for the District’s creatives.
For more information, contact the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment at (202) 671-0066, visit us online at: entertainment.dc.gov, and follow us on Facebook.com/entertaindc, Instagram.com/entertain_dc and Twitter.com/entertain_dc.
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