Kartemquin is honored to be the winner of the 2010 Altgeld Award for Free Speech from the Newberry Library. Our Artistic Director Gordon Quinn and Executive Director Justine Nagan collected the award last week as part of the Newberry's annual "Bughouse Square Debates."  Check out Friday's Chicago Tribune feature profile on how the award is great recognition for over 40 years of advocacy against censorship and in favor of democratic public media.

In the same week, we were also delighted to learn of the US Copyright Office's granting of a DMCA exemption for documentary filmmakers, marking the culmination of a fight for "fair use" in which Kartemquin was an integral force. Read a great interview with Gordon Quinn below outlining how this happened, what it means, and why it matters.

We've been busy making films, too! In this issue you will also find an interview with Maria Finitzo, who is developing three films with Kartemquin; see an exclusive clip from American Arab, and meet our two newest Board Members.

Please don't forget that as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Kartemquin addresses some of society’s most pressing issues, giving them a global voice through film. We have been a resource to the film community for the last 44 years, mentoring and assisting both emerging and seasoned documentarians. Without your support, programs such as our Internship Program and Diversity Fellowship would not exist, and we would not be able to be a force in advocating for demoratic media, fair use and free speech. Donate to us, or help through Goodsearch. Thank you, and keep fighting the good fight!