Patsy Mink documentary nominated for EPIC Emerging Artist Award

Kimberlee Bassford, Filmmaker

Hawaii filmmaker Kimberlee Bassford's documentary, "Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority" has been nominated to compete for The White House Project's EPIC Emerging Artist Award.

Bassford is one of 12 nominees selected to compete for the award, which will be determined by an online vote. Voting is open now through March 31 at The White House Project’s website. Here is the link to vote.

The top three vote getters will be invited to the EPIC 2010 gala on April 7 in New York, and the winner revealed at The Secrets of Powerful Women EPIC 2010 After-Party sponsored by Lifetime Television. Special guests include actors Meryl Streep and Geena Davis and journalist Sheryl Wu Dunn.

The White House Project is a national, nonpartisan, non-profit organization that aims to advance women’s leadership in all communities and sectors, up to the U.S. presidency. Each year, it presents the EPIC Awards to celebrate those in the visual arts and media who have created powerful representations of women in their work.

This year, it created the first-ever EPIC Emerging Artist Award to recognize artists who may not yet have great exposure and are emerging on the national and international scene.

"Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority" is Bassford’s first feature documentary and the first film to explore the life and times of Congresswoman Mink. Mink was the first woman of color in the U.S. Congress and the co-author of Title IX, later renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, the legislation that opened up higher education and athletics for women.

“Patsy’s story captures the spirit of a generation of trailblazing women and shows that one person—armed with vision, drive, and perseverance—can make a difference,” said Bassford.

Patsy Mink was a member of the Territorial House, State Senate, Honolulu City Council and US Congress. In addition, the State of Hawaii was one of the film's funders.

In 2006, the Hawaii Women's Legislative Caucus honored Patsy Mink for her lifetime political achievements. Bassford and her film were recognized at the unveiling of the caucus' legislative package.

The documentary premiered at the 2008 Hawaii International Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award for Favorite Documentary. It aired nationally on PBS in May 2009 and has distribution through Women Make Movies.

Click here to view clips from the nominated works and to vote. Here's more information on "Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority."