About this project
Did you ever wonder: Whose stories get buried in the landfill? Whose voices get tied to the waste of a consumer culture? We’re trying to save these stories by making a documentary film about dumpster diving, which is the act of saving food that has been thrown away.
What unique experiences do people have when they interact with trash?
STORIES FROM THE DUMPSTER tells the stories of Lost & Found Treasures–stories from the people who throw away food, and stories from the people who save it. We’ve already captured a rich variety of these rare narratives. Some are filled with spontaneous food art, some with enduring friendship. Some are down right dirty. One dumpster diver tells his tale of being locked inside a dumpster! All kinds of people have profound connections to trash. The more we dig, the more stories we find.
Join dumpster divers on their late-night excursions into America's bountiful food underworld–the dumpsters. And on the flip side of that world, hear grocery store managers share their personal, surprisingly complex stories of throwing away food. Watch these two worlds collide when both dumpster divers and grocery store workers reveal their bizarre encounters with one another. And if you aren't full yet, check out the dumpster diving cooking show...
You will hear stories from dumpster divers, grocery store employees, food bank managers, garbage workers, homeless people, Food Not Bombs volunteers, and more.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are a household of dumpster divers, making this documentary with essentially NO BUDGET. Your donations will allow us to expand the scope of the film by traveling to do further interviewing, to gather more stories, and to document a wider range of trash adventures. Your donations are most crucial for post-production and duplication costs. ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS WILL BE PUT TOWARDS FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS. Help us save these stories before they go to the landfill forever!
SOUNDTRACK FEATURES MUSICIANS WHO DUMPSTER DIVE!
Music for the Trailer by Dovekins
Cover Photo by Jeff Emtman
IF YOU HAVE A STORY ABOUT FOOD WASTE THAT YOU WANT TO TELL, CONTACT ME.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on May 22, 2011.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
DVD of the film + Special Thanks in the credits of the film!
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
DVD of the film + Special Thanks in the credits of the film + Thank You note made from dumpstered materials!
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
DVD of the film + Special Thanks in the credits of the film + super cool Thank You note made from dumpstered materials, nestled in a handmade pouch made from dumpstered fabric!
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Invitation (for two) to a FEAST prepared with the finest foods from the dumpsters + Special Thanks credit at beginning of film + 2 copies of the film on DVD + Custom pouch or bag made from dumpstered materials (We will contact you)
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
You will be a PRODUCER of the film + Invitation (for two) to a FEAST prepared with the finest foods from the dumpsters + 4 signed copies of the film on DVD + Handmade Thank You note + Custom pouch or bag made from dumpstered materials (We will contact you) + THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ! ! !
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
You will be an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER of the film + Invitation (for 8) to your own PRIVATE FEAST prepared with the finest foods from the dumpsters + 8 signed copies of the film on DVD + Handmade Thank you note + Custom pouch or bag made from dumpstered materials (We will contact you) + YOU ARE THE BEST DONOR EVER ! ! !
Project By
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STORIES FROM THE DUMPSTER is my first feature-length project. I’ve made multiple documentary shorts, including Week in the Wilderness & Framework of Perspective–both of which were distributed internationally as part of the Life Plus DVD series. Along with my roommates, who are helping with the film, I dumpster dive for all my food. I graduated from Fairhaven College with a self-designed creative writing degree entitled Writing through the Body, and recently taught a class at the college called Poetry & the Creative Process. With all of my work, I'm interested in story. Stories about dumpster diving continue to inspire me–with their wildness, their attention to food details, and their focus on friendship. That's why I'm making this film: for the stories.
