November 25, 2016 — The Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association, which has fully assumed the role of producer in Rockport native David Wittkower’s film on the demise of the commercial fishing industry, will hold another fundraiser on Dec. 1.
The GFWA, with the assistance of private benefactors and the foundation for which Gloucester resident Linzee Coolidge is a director, has raised about $41,000 of the estimated $65,000 Wittkower needs to finish the film, “Dead in the Water.”
The GFWA will try to narrow the funding gap with the Dec. 1 fundraiser at the Elks Club on the Back Shore that will include a reception catered by the GFWA and a 50-50 raffle.
Half of the proceeds from the raffle — which will pay prizes of $5,000, $3,000 and two prizes of $1,000 — will go to help fund Wittkower’s final photography and post-production on the film he has been working on for more than two years.
“David Wittkower’s film, while presenting the harsh facts of fishing, also illustrates the warmth and heart in this industry, and why it is so important to the Gloucester community,” the GFWA wrote in its letter announcing the most recent fundraising event for the completion of the film. “If completed, the film will end with hope, presenting the people working to make Gloucester fishing a sustainable 21st century fleet.”
Wittkower, a 1979 graduate of Rockport High School, is a veteran, award-winning filmmaker, serving as producer, director and editor on a number of documentaries.