Hearts of Glass

a film by JenTen Productions

Join Us

Watch the Trailer

“Brings hope and new ideas to families that employment and independence with the support of the community is possible!”

Stephanie Coleman - Family Support Coordinator
Kansas University on Developmental Disabilities

“A moving story of one community’s journey touching on food innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusion.”

Marissa Duswalt Epstein, RD/MBA - Lecturer
Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Stanford Graduate School of Business

“Provides an opportunity for viewers to consider the importance of high expectations for individuals with significant disabilities and the power of community connections to foster and support meaningful employment.”

Barb Ziemke - Co-Director
PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment

“The film is a breath of fresh air – inspiring, heartwarming and joyful.”

Jess Swigonski, Programming Manager
Wild & Scenic Film Festival

“A big source of creative inspiration from a small town in Wyoming…a story of employment possibilities for community members with developmental and other disabilities.”

Donna Meltzer, CEO
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities

“A fantastic mash-up of agriculture and disability rights documentary. I’m excited about the conversations this film with spark about inclusion.”

Tim Villegas, Certified Autism Specialist
Founder/Editor-in-Chief, Think Inclusive

“A refreshing example of a social enterprise that leverages community buyin as a way to showcase and promote diverse talent.”

Elaine E. Katz, Senior VP
Kessler Foundation

“Amazing — an important movie that truly shows the value and loyalty this diverse group brings to the table!”

Mona Lisa Faris, Publisher
DIVERSEability Magazine

“I can’t choose one audience for the film because I wish everyone would see it.”

Dr. Kara Ayers, Associate Director
University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

“A story that pushes beyond the boundaries of what most have been exposed to in terms of innovative employment and community inclusion.”

Natasha Fisher, Director of Product Management
Relias

“The highlight of our National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration — it inspired us to step up our game and dream big!“

Kathy Hoell, Executive Director
Nebraska Statewide Independent Living Council

“It was the event of the semester! It allowed us to collaborate with colleagues in other schools on a joint event and to view and discuss the film from multiple angles.”

Stephanie E. Raible, Assistant Professor & Faculty Director of Social Entrepreneurship
Human Development & Family Sciences | Horn Entrepreneurship, U of DE

“The virtual event allowed us to successfully engage a variety of networks including our disability-focused ERG and the broader Rochester community.“

Dawn Kirchner, Diversity Recruitment Specialist & Chair of disABILITY ERG
Mayo Clinic Rochester

“The screening and discussion provided insights into the business and the issues at the heart of the film – inclusion, innovation and impact. It inspired us all to think outside the box.“

Nidhi Wadmark, Manager, Product Management | Global Awareness & Culture Lead for Thrive, Disability Inclusion ERG
PayPal

“The programming created a spark to shift our culture towards inclusion.“

Jessica Nickels, Transition-Teacher On Special Assignment
Washougal School District, Washington

“A powerful reminder of how our communities are made better when all members are included.”

Mark Morris, Crisis and Transition Support Team Program Supervisor
Nueces Center for Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities

The Film

Hearts of Glass is a new PBS documentary following the tumultuous first 15 months of operation of Vertical Harvest (VH), a multi-story, state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse. The social impact business provides year-round produce to a mountain town while offering meaningful employment in an inclusive setting for people with disabilities.

The film weaves the story of VH’s launch with the personal journeys of employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Plants and people grow together in this intimate portrait of innovation, inclusion and community.

Outreach Campaign

One story can make a difference. We're launching a national campaign to take the film to documentary fans across the country and show that innovation and inclusion can go hand-in-hand, benefiting citizens with disabilities and the community at large. The film will generate awareness and impact through:

  • Red carpet film festival screenings
  • Presentations at top conferences
  • National PBS broadcast
  • Virtual screenings + panel discussions
    • Resources for stakeholders
    • Educational materials
    • Interdisciplinary content
    • Release on iTunes and Amazon

 

Connecting Virtually

The current health crisis is changing the way we all communicate with and support our communities. Based on feedback from organizations we've partnered with on previous events, we know the film is an effective tool to catalyze conversations about supported and customized employment, and community inclusion. Additionally, the film is engaging people with interests ranging from sustainable agriculture to social entrepreneurship. The Hearts of Glass team is offering special virtual events in response to demand for the film.

We’ve already had success with an online format that includes: access to the full film for a window of time via a customized web page, and a live panel discussion that allows for audience interaction with the filmmaker.

Join Us

We’d like to partner with you as we take our film and message about the value of meaningful and inclusive employment to audiences across the country. Through collaborating, we hope to provide you with exciting options to compliment your mission, while engaging and energizing your community.

The Team

JenTen Productions, led by award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Tennican, has a proven track record of producing high-quality and engaging documentaries for national distribution. Since production on the film began, JenTen has been laying the groundwork for the film’s launch by cultivating relationships with local, regional and national experts and organizations focused on disability advocacy, social entrepreneurship, sustainability and local food production.

Contact

Director Jennifer Tennican | jen@jentenproductions.com | 307.690.2258