sponsors
The Alfred P. Sloan Prodction Grant
The Foundation has developed a nationwide film program that includes support of film schools, film festivals and screenplay development partners, and film production and distribution platforms. The goals of this program are to influence the next generation of filmmakers to tackle science and technology themes and characters, to increase visibility for feature films that depict this subject matter, and to develop new scripts about science and technology that can be produced and released theatrically. The program has created a film development pipeline of multiple program partners through whom Sloan nurtures and develops individual projects with different grants until they are successfully launched.
firechat
Spark tells the story of a new techology used to circumvent media censorship. This technology is based on the cell phone application called FireChat.
FireChat is the messaging app that works when and where others cannot. Winner of a 2015 SXSW Innovation award, FireChat uses peer-to-peer mesh networking technology to connect people and mobile devices even when no Internet connection or mobile data service is available.
FireChat has been among the top 10 social networking applications in 124 countries. From Burning Man to Taiwan, HongKong, Delhi, Moscow, Manila, Paris, Srinagar, Kuala Lumpur and Austin, pro-democracy protesters, disaster relief organizations, leaders and artists are choosing FireChat to stay connected to their fans, friends and communities.
Firechat has been featured on CNN, CNBC, the BBC, the Financial Times, the Economist, the Wall Street Journal, and almost any major news outlet or TV network you can think of.
Download Firechat!
The production
The short film was produced at the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2015/2016.