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"On A Roll" wins Independent Lens Audience Award!
Ocean Springs, MS -- "On A Roll: Family, Disability and the American Dream," Joanne Caputo's documentary film about the life and work of disability activist Greg Smith, has just been awarded the National Audience Award from Independent Lens, the PBS series which introduces new documentaries and dramas made by independent filmmakers.
“The 29 programs in this past season of Independent Lens brought audiences up-close looks at some of the most fascinating places and people around, an array of stories that amazed, inspired and touched the emotions of viewers,” Independent Lens announced on their Web site. “The competition was tight, but the audience has spoken.”
Caputo's portrait of Greg Smith and family captured the hearts of thousands of Independent Lens viewers when it debuted nationwide on PBS February 15. Greg Smith and his family bared all in this unflinching portrait of a 65-pound man striving for the American Dream. Fueled by discrimination, Smith created "On A Roll Talk Radio on Life and Disability" from his power wheelchair in 1992. The father of three travels the globe in a new civil rights movement, but finds his own nation’s capital inaccessible - a minor challenge compared to living independently and having safe intimate relationships with facilitated sex.
"The Audience Award is very touching confirmation that I'm doing the right kind of work," said Smith. "I think it is a hint to media executives that mainstream America is eager for people like me to be presented in the mainstream media. The wall of exclusion for people with disabilities is eroding, and there is a universal curiosity and a desire to learn from our experiences and embrace the value and expertise we have developed from our unique lens."
"The Audience Award is the tangible realization of what has been a daily acknowledgment from strangers everywhere I go. It is like another hug, warm smile or kiss on the cheek that have been a part of my daily life since the movie aired in February," he said. "Joanne's film touched people."
As a severely disabled African American, who is an experienced, articulate broadcasting veteran and a skilled interviewer, Smith sees ramps to his own syndicated television show set in his future. His combination of perspectives gives him interesting license to address issues in ways others have never touched. He envisions a general issues talk show that inspires, probes the personalities of pop culture icons and challenges mass audiences to learn from his lessons of inner strength.
What's next? Smith's Autobiography, "On A Roll: Reflections from America's Wheelchair Dude with the Winning Attitude" will hit bookstores in October, perfect timing for National Disability Awareness Month. He continues to host his nationally syndicated radio talk show, "The Strength Coach," which airs Sunday evenings at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on the Radio America Network. And Caputo and Smith will screen the film at The National Association of Black Journalists Film Festival at the NABJ Convention in Atlanta, Aug 3-8. More than 600 journalists from across the nation will see the film and participate in a question/answer session with Smith and Caputo on Aug. 6.
For more information about the On A Roll Documentary, Greg's autobiography or his professional speaking, visit http://www.TheStrengthCoach.com.
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