Meet Fanny Palmer, the most famous artist you've never heard of. In the 1850s, Fanny fearlessly chartered her own course in the male-dominated field of lithography. Her legacy transcends art, serving as an inspiration to women today striving for financial and professional independence in a world stacked against them.
SYNOPSIS
Set against the backdrop of a bustling 19th-century New York City, this non-fiction film chronicles the extraordinary life and artistic journey of Frances Flora “Fanny” Palmer (1812-1876), a pioneering lithographer whose ground-breaking prints for the celebrated firm Currier & Ives captured the spirit of a burgeoning nation. During her time, Palmer’s images adorned more homes, schools, and businesses than that of any other artist, living or dead. Yet, her name has largely been lost to history. Fanny Palmer's story is one of grit and determination, as she became a trailblazer for women's autonomy. At the same time, Palmer’s personal challenges and triumphs give greater depth and resilience to her remarkable life.
ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)
Director Tina Spangler
Director Tina Spangler is a Sullivan County, NY-based cinematic storyteller working in the documentary film genre. For the past 20 years, she has created a wide variety of original short-form video content for television, as well as several independent film projects. Spangler began her career creating dozens of original segments for Sundance Channel (2000-2005), including filmmaker profiles and thematic nonfiction works. Most recently, she produced, wrote, and directed several nonfiction shorts for Sesame Street (2021-2023). She has also directed and produced independent documentaries, including Lucky Lake (2011). The founder and longtime director of the Big Eddy Film Festival (2012-2022), Spangler has also spent a significant part of her career curating independent films for festivals, affording her the opportunity to view and evaluate thousands of indie films of all genres.
Emily Schuman is a documentary producer and filmmaker. Her directorial debut, When I'm Her, a co-production with ITVS, follows the double life of a dancer as he inhabits his alter ego, Madame Olga. Most recently, Emily was the co-producer on Judy Blume Forever which premiered at Sundance’s 2023 film festival and was released on Amazon Prime. Emily’s other credits include The Stroll (Sundance 2023), Lift (Tribeca 2022), Mission Possible (National Geographic 2021), The Disrupted (DOK.Fest Munich 2020), True Believer (streaming on The Atlantic), and The Witmans (Discovery). Emily's career began as a camera assistant and a member of IATSE Local 600.
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Women Make Movies (WMM), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit media arts organization registered with the New York Charities Bureau of New York State and accepts charitable donations on behalf of this project. Your donation will be spent by the filmmaker(s) toward the production and completion of this media project. No services or goods are provided by Women Make Movies, the filmmaker(s) or anyone else associated with this project in exchange for your charitable donation.
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