Festival Spotlight: NOT The Last Butterfly – A 2018 Documentary Entry
As an effort to highlight this year’s inspiring submissions, the Beverly Hills Film Festival is proud to introduce NOT The Last Butterfly as one of the featured entries in the Documentary category for the 2018 festival.
NOT The Last Butterfly tells a story of hope, remembrance, and the healing power of art. The documentary follows The Butterfly Project, a non-profit organization started by an educator and an artist, which aims to honor the memory of the 1.5 million children murdered in the Holocaust. Through the act of painting handmade ceramic butterflies, participants around the world contribute to a powerful and permanent global memorial.
Today, when compassion and connection are more important than ever, this film reminds us of our shared humanity. Through its narrative, NOT The Last Butterfly shines a light on how art can transcend time and trauma, and how it can bring people together across generations, cultures, and faiths.
The documentary captures the magic and contagious energy of The Butterfly Project, showing people of all ages and backgrounds unplugging, connecting, and creating with a sense of shared purpose. It also reflects on the inspiration that came from the children of the Terezin Concentration Camp, who found moments of beauty and courage through artistic expression, even in the darkest of times.
NOT The Last Butterfly is a call to action for empathy, education, and resistance against hatred and bigotry. In a world increasingly challenged by racism and division, this film serves as a vital resource for educators, students, and communities committed to creating a more peaceful future.
Executive Producer Cheryl shares, “We are involved in a grassroots-gone-global movement that brings a small measure of healing, dignity, and beauty to a very tragic history. I hope the film inspires others to learn more about this history and to empower young people to use art for empathy and community building. I truly believe that each and every butterfly counts.”
NOT The Last Butterfly is more than a film—it is a movement.
Artist Statement from Cheryl Rattner Price
“As an artist, the last topic I ever imagined I would be involved with was the Holocaust. I was afraid of the incomprehensible cruelty and I didn’t want to offend anyone. That changed in San Diego when educator Jan Landau introduced me to a group of survivors and I began learning their incredible stories of courage and dedication as they rebuilt their lives.
Seeing them lead productive and love-filled lives while sharing their stories with the younger generations was a game changer for me. Their humor and perspective on life combined with their unstoppable belief in others to reach for their dreams gave me the much needed courage and inspiration when it didn’t seem we would get the project off the ground.
Their enthusiasm for The Butterfly Project and seeing them chat with young people of all backgrounds as they painted ceramic butterflies was all the evidence we needed. Our motivation grew to keep expanding the project and underlined the need for a call-to-action film.”
~ Cheryl Rattner Price
Key Creatives
- Cheryl Rattner Price – Executive Producer, Producer, Director
- Joe Fab – Producer, Director
- Bob Shroder – Editor
- Charlie Barnett – Music Score
If selected as a finalist, NOT THE LAST BUTTERFLY will be screening in the heart of Hollywood at TCL Chinese Theatres from April 4th to 8th, 2018.
The Beverly Hills Film Festival is truly fascinated by the remarkable range of films and screenplays submitted for the upcoming season. SUBMISSION SEASON IS ALMOST OVER! To be a part of this spectacular group of filmmakers and screenwriters, SUBMIT your film and screenplay here.
And, of course, good luck to all who have submitted their work so far!
