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New Film to Spotlight Fight over NYC Schools

The Lottery follows four families as they flee their assigned public schools and enter a high stakes and low odds lottery for acceptance into a Harlem charter school. A heartbreaking look at parents who will not accept failing schools for their children but may have to, The Lottery exposes the backwards politics and nefarious agendas of politicians and special interest groups who stand in the way of improving a failing public school system. New York State's recent loss of hundreds of millions of dollars from the Race to the Top Fund is just one example.

One only needs to read today's headlines to see the volatility of this issue and its impact on children. In fact, yesterday Mayor Mike Bloomberg issued the following quote about Albany's maelstrom: "Dr. King told us that a right delayed is a right denied, and this <Assembly> bill would continue to deny those children the quality school options that they deserve. The bill really is an insult to parents and children and Dr. King and his legacy."

"I wanted to show that we do not have to accept failure, because some schools are proving that all kids can succeed if given the chance. Parents know the difference and apply in droves to the better schools. The tragedy is that the demands of adults are getting in the way of the needs of kids," said Sackler. "Where you're born is a lottery. Going to a great school shouldn't be."

Interviewees of the film include Mayor Cory Booker, Chancellor Joel Klein, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, Harlem Success Academy founder Eva Moskowitz, Harlem Children's Zone President and CEO Geoffrey Canada, Achievement First co-CEO Dacia Toll, and New York Times Magazine editor Paul Tough.

"This is a New York story about a national crisis," says producer James Lawler. "Through four beautifully told human stories, it poses the question, do we really want an America where we've institutionalized the failure of thousands of schools?"

The Lottery team will begin a comprehensive outreach program focused around activating students, teachers, and organizations to demand change. The website (www.thelotteryfilm.com), is live today and features the trailer for the film as well as a growing list of resources for interested teachers, mentors, students, and parents struggling to find the best education options for their children. Visitors to the website can also demand that the film play in their area. The Lottery was produced by Blake Ashman-Kipervaser and James Lawler, and co-produced by Erin Lanuti.

Director Madeleine Sackler Is Available For Interview Requests

For The Lottery
Nina Baron, 212-257-6919
nina@ziplineentertainment.com
or
George Nicholis, 212-257-6914
George@ziplineentertainment.com