“Director Jesse Zook Mann and producer Evan Kleinman are working on a documentary called Punk Jews. They released a five-minute trailer last month. They hope to finish filming next year and release a full-length documentary in 2010 or 2011. ‘I want to turn people on to the idea that people can be creative inside of their heritage and can create what their religion means to them and that freedom and honoring your heritage are not mutually exclusive.’”

Check out the Punk Jews website here.

Punk Jews from Jesse Zook Mann on Vimeo.

Me and Beard Team USA President Phil Olsen

From the Silverdocs Blog: “Cool kids had two options last night: Karaoke at Quarry House or Beard and Moustache Competition at Round House. It was possible to hit both, press teamsters in their 20s tell me. As for those with only one late night entry in them (read: like me), they stuck to the resplendent SPLITTING HAIRS post screening contest, which had about 20 competitors–professional and amateurs–with a suprise upset win by HUNTING DOWN MEMORY film subject Oyvind Aamot, who beat Bill Mitchell, third place World Beard and Moustache Champion. Bill’s extraordinary sideburn Mutton Chops couldn’t bear up under the weight of the long flowing dreadlocked partial. SPLITTING HAIRS subject and Team USA leader Phil Olsen deserves a medal for bringing out so many Team USA members from around the country and serving as MC. First Place winners took home Festival passes to next year’s SILVERDOCS and a few other goodies. ”

Read The full report here.

My Silverdocs pics here on Facebook.

Thank you Silverdocs for the honor.

I’m very proud to announce that our documentary on the World Beard and Mustache Championships, Splitting Hairs, has been accepted into the Silverdocs festival in Washington DC. The screening will include a beard and mustache contest for the ages and will be held on 10:30 PM on Thursday, June 18th. Check out the films page on the festival site to read an interview!

My First Time makes its national debut tomorrow on NBC for our special following three young people to the inauguration in DC. The show will air Saturday night at 7:30 pm and after SNL at 1 am, but double check your local listings. Cities broadcasting the show are New York, Los Angles, San Francisco, DC, Chicago, Philadelphia, Hartford, San Diego, and Dallas.

Barack Obama’s inauguration undoubtedly left many Americans with stories they’ll never forget — these are three of them. Watch a preview of My First Time: 2009 Obama Inauguration.

Thanks for watching everyone! I hope you enjoy!