Jan. 17, 2017 By Hannah Wulkan
A Sunnyside filmmaker’s documentary on Jamaica Bay will air on television next month, provided he can raise enough money to cover the fees involved.
Dan Hendrick, who is married to local Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, premiered his documentary, Saving Jamaica Bay, at the Queens World Film Festival last year, and is now looking to move it to television to reach a wider audience.
The film, which examines the highly polluted and largely unknown Jamaica Bay and the surrounding communities, is set to debut on the local PBS station THIRTEEN on February 18 at 1 p.m. However, according to an email Hendrick sent out to his supporters, he must purchase special insurance in order to air it on television that costs $5,000.
In order to cover the cost, Hendrick has launched a fundraising page through the NYC Audubon website, ensuring that all donations are tax-deductible.
Dan Hendrick (right) filming
“The best way to care for Jamaica Bay is to inspire people to get involved. With so many questions about our environmental future right now, we are very excited to bring this film to audiences across the New York City metro area,” Hendrick wrote to supporters, asking for contributions to help air the film.
The documentary explores Jamaica Bay, an 18,000-acre national park located on the southern edge of Queens and Brooklyn that was used as a dumping ground for sewage, garbage and chemicals for years.
Hendrick spent more than ten years studying the Bay, and wrote a book about its history in 2006. He then decided to make the documentary in 2011 to raise awareness about the park and the wildlife living within, including 300 species of birds and 100 species of fish. He also detailed the lifestyles of the groups living in the area around the bay.
The bay is still under threat from the nearby JFK Airport and sewage plants, and Hendrick hopes to garner local and national attention to the issues of the Bay by airing the film on television.
To contribute to the fundraiser, visit https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=1123&AID=2904
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