Description
The collection contains the organizational records of and film and video elements created by GroundSpark, a documentary film
company established by Debra Chasnoff. GroundSpark's educational films often address subjects of human rights and sexuality.
Background
Debra Chasnoff (1957-2017) was an Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker and producer whose educational films promoted greater
tolerance for gays and lesbians. She was president of GroundSpark, a nonprofit company whose Respect For All Project distributes
films and companion educational guides for classroom discussion. Chasnoff's first film was
Choosing Children
(1984) and was co-produced with Kim Klausner, her partner at the time. The film profiled six same-sex couples who were raising
children. Chasnoff's documentary short
Deadly Deception: General Electric, Nuclear Weapons and Our Environment
won an Academy Award in 1992. She is probably best known for the films
It's Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School
(1996) and
That's A Family
(2000). Other films produced and/or directed by Chasnoff include:
Straightlaced: How Gender's Got Us All Tied Up
(2009),
Let's Get Real
(2003) about bullying,
One Wedding and a Revolution
(2004) about the legalization of same-sex marriage, and
Celebrating the Life of Del Martin
(2011) about lesbian activist Del Martin.
Extent
35 Cubic Feet
(35 cartons of records, 1 oversized envelope) + approximately 1,259 film and video elements.
Restrictions
Copyright retained by GroundSpark.
Availability
UNARRANGED COLLECTION. Closed for research. Contact Hormel LGBTQIA Center archivist for more information.