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Based on a True Inspirational LGBT Caregiving Story Nominated for Pulitzer Prize: My Green Folder

My Green Folder Film Project Seeks to Gather 100,000 Testimonials 

The team behind the upcoming film project “My Green Folder” is embarking on a groundbreaking mission to collect 100,000 testimonials to help spearhead this critical film project to production. 

Based on a real-life story, “My Green Folder” is a captivating story of Richard Schiffer and Chris MacLellan’s life experiences as a same-sex couple navigating the American health care and legal system before marriage equality became law. Richard and Chris had been partners for eight years when, in 2011, Richard was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which propelled Chris into end-of-life care for his long-term partner. Their story was first documented in a 3-Part Pulitzer Prize-nominated (and finalist in 2015), “In Sickness and In Health: A Couple’s Final Journey,” for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper by journalist Diane Lade and photojournalist Carline Jean.

The screenwriters call on people worldwide to share their stories about how caregiving has impacted their lives. Whether through a personal connection to the story, a similar experience, or a profound message that resonates, the “My Green Folder” film project aims to gather diverse testimonials to highlight the universal appeal and relevance of the film’s narrative.

The screenwriters believe it is through story sharing where diversity meets the road to collaborate on a common cause.  Caregiving is in every neighborhood and board room, and caregiving is the one social issue that brings people together from diverse backgrounds and religious beliefs because people just want to care for the loved one without any additional drama systems can place on them. 

  • “My Green Folder” is far from being simply an LGBT story or an ‘illness story.’  This film reveals the devotion between persons of the same gender and the enduring adoration between people of different generations, spiritual beliefs, educations, and backgrounds…
  • My Green Folder” explores the space we inhabit, the people we meet, and the bureaucracy we must negotiate during the experience of caring for a terminally ill family member or friend…
  • “My Green Folder” chronicles the many moments of sacrifice and acts of love that culminate in the enormous emotional impact of losing a loved one that will forever change the lives of those left behind.

Why My Green Folder: With the real-life concern of being denied access to each other at a time of crisis, Richard and Chris carried their living wills, health-care surrogate forms, and power of attorney documents with them wherever they went in a bright “Green Folder” to prove to any unaccepting staffer their legal rights to each other.

In its true essence, “My Green Folder” is a love story. The macro factors of society, prejudices, and injustice lend to the added features of dealing with these factors before marriage equality became law. Given our current political and societal environment, Richard and Chris’ story resonates even more today.

Testimonials can be submitted through the My Green Folder” Film website (www.mygreenfolderfilm.com) or via social media using the hashtag #MyGreenFolderFilmTestimonial.  Selected testimonials may be featured in promotional materials for the film project and shared with the public to showcase the impact of the story. 

Actors, Directors, Investors, Producers are welcome to submit their testimonials!