37th cleveland international film festival :: April 3 - april 14, 2013
Film Festival Blog
March 25th, 2010 @ 1:15pm

Meet Doug Dearth of "9000 Needles"

Director Doug Dearth is an Ohio boy -- he grew up in Canton -- who moved to California to pursue a career in films. He comes back to Ohio to screen his very personal documentary, "9000 Needles."

"I am more excited to be showing my film in Cleveland than just about anywhere else," Dearth tells The Daily. "For one, my entire family will be able to attend. Also, many of my friends are from the area and I will be proud to show them a little bit of what I have been up to all of these years. But mostly it is because it is my friends and family in Ohio that made my brother's journey possible. It was their support and prayers that got us all through this. Showing them this film will be my great big thank you to all of them."

According to Dearth, being raised in Canton gave him a strong foundation to pursue his dreams.

"The sense of community and family that it so prevalent in the Midwest, really gave me a sense of support as I was growing up and played a significant role in giving me the confidence to take risks and try new things," he says. "The entertainment industry can be very competitive and can also be a bit of a fantasyland mentality, very often detached from reality. Growing up in Ohio has always kept me grounded."

Take it from someone who has acted, directed and produced. His advice to young filmmakers is "don't wait for anyone."

He continues: "Cameras and equipment are cheap these days, pick one up and start shooting. Of course, study film if you have the opportunity, learn the business of filmmaking, find a mentor, but don't wait on anybody. Just do it, then do it again."

You can also watch a short interview with Doug below:



9000 Needles has concluded its run at the Festival, but the cause it espouses remains an important one. To learn more about what you can do, read the flyer put together by our Lights, Camera, Action Steps team.

Posted by Anne M. DiTeodoro

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