WILMINGTON – Last night, New Castle County officials premiered a short-form documentary entitled “The Pathway Home,” produced in partnership with Short Order Production House, at the Penn Cinema Riverfront 14 + IMAX in Wilmington.
The premiere event marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of The Hope Center to its first guests. Following the film’s screening, a panel discussion moderated by New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer took place featuring key individuals from the documentary and The Hope Center.
“The Hope Center is one of the most ambitious projects New Castle County has ever undertaken,” County Executive Meyer said. “This film will serve as an inspiration for other governmental bodies to pursue similar projects aimed at protecting the most vulnerable among us.”
The documentary features interviews with U.S. Senator Chris Coons, U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Housing Alliance Delaware Executive Director Rachel Stucker, County Councilman Penrose Hollins, County Executive Meyer and members of The Hope Center staff and residents.
The documentary was filmed over the course of The Hope Center’s first year with crews from Short Order Productions working under the direction of Short Order’s Christina Reilly and New Castle County Digital Media Manager Kyle Grantham. The film breaks down the origins of The Hope Center project, explores the affordable housing crisis in Delaware, and seeks to put a human face to the hundreds of residents who have called The Hope Center home since it opened last year, and show the impact the project has had on their lives.
“This is the kind of story we love to be involved with,” Short Order Production House CEO Zach Phillips said. “We hope this short film has done justice to the incredible vision and effort it took to make the Hope Center a force for changing lives in our community.”
Short Order Production House is the state's largest commercial film production company. Its studios are in downtown Wilmington.
"It was a privilege to bear witness as The Hope Center came alive with residents,” Short Order Documentary Director Christina Reilly said. “We were there the day it opened, and lucky enough to return again and again to visit with the residents. We saw how their lives were changing. I was honored to be part of this project."
Panelists who discussed The Hope Center project following the screening included:
- New Castle County Housing Manager Nicole Waters
- Housing Alliance Delaware Executive Director Rachel Stucker
- New Castle County CARES Act Committee Member Renee Beaman
- Short Order Production House Documentary Director Christina Reilly
- Friendship House Executive Director Kim Eppehimer
Due to limited seating availability, the premiere event was invitation only. The film has been widely released on the New Castle County Government Facebook Page and through the New Castle County YouTube page following the screening. The film will also be available for viewing in a continuing rotation New Castle County Television, Comcast Channel 22 in unincorporated New Castle County and Verizon Channel 29 statewide.