The Fledgling Fund has committed $15,000 to help The Homestretch team facilitate ten regional screenings and roundtable discussions, bringing together government agencies around the issue of youth homelessness. These agencies include the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Education and others, all of which have an impact on the lives of youth experiencing homelessness. These regional events will take place in November 2015, and funds are still being raised to execute this innovative outreach. You can pledge your own support here. Continued

[View the story "The Homestretch's Broadcast Premiere On PBS" on Storify] Continued

PBS Independent Lens hosts the broadcast television premiere of The Homestretch on Monday, April 13 at 10pm ET / 9pm CT (Check local listings). This marks the high point of six years of work by co-directors Anne de Mare and Kirsten Kelly to bring attention to the story of the estimated 1.6 million homeless youth in America. Their diligent dedication - with the help of so many partners, funders, and community organizations who also believe in the goal of ending youth homeless - has meant the film has already made a significant impact on thousands of people. But now we will reach the film's largest audience yet. Continued

In a new report from The Homestretch screenings in Washington D.C., the filmmakers capture how this story of three Chicago teens struggling with temporary homelessness as they enter adulthood is helping to literally change the definition of homelessness. Last week, policy makers and officials from the five top Federal Agencies whose work intersects with homeless youth gathered together to watch The Homestretch. Continued

The Homestretch screens to policymakers on Capitol Hill at 2pm this afternoon, followed by a special Washington, D.C. theatrical screening tonight, with a live-streamed panel discussing legislation to assist homeless youth. Continued

Kirsten Kelly and Anne de Mare's The Homestretch continues to gather strong momentum in its social impact campaign's bid to end youth homelessness. With multiple screenings set across the country (and more coming into us each day), political activity, and media interest ahead of the April 13th world television premiere of the film on PBS Independent Lens, there is cause for optimism that the film is helping to bring much need attention and action to this issue. Continued

The European Premiere of The Homestretch will be at The Paris Human Rights International Film Festival (FIFDH Paris) which runs from April 7th through the 21st. Screenings will be held at Luminor, Hôtel de Ville. The FIFDH Paris has, for the last 10 years, been the most important cultural manifestation on the theme of Human Rights in France. Each year, they offer directors from all over the world the opportunity to present their work and to meet the public. From over 500 films that are watched each year, they select only about 20 works to be shown, and we are deeply honored to be among them. Continued

Kirsten Kelly and Anne de Mare's The Homestretch is challenging stereotypes of homelessness as it continues to tour the USA. The film, which follows the inspiring story of three homeless teenagers in Chicago, who fight to stay in school, graduate, and build a future, has over 50 public screenings already confirmed for 2015, many of them free, and with community discussions following the film. Continued

A record-breaking year for Kartemquin saw six of our documentary projects have world premieres in 2014: Life Itself at Sundance Film Festival in January. The Homestretch at Hot Docs in April. On Beauty at Chicago International Film Festival in October. The School Project simultaneously on the web, TV and with a live event at Chicago History Museum in October. Almost There at DOC NYC in November. Saving Mes Aynak at IDFA in November. Continued

The Homestretch is now playing in week-long theatrical runs in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, ahead of an iTunes release this Tuesday, November 25th. It arrives in theaters just as a new study shows that youth homelessness is at a record high across the USA. Continued