Marginalized Voices Rise in Right to Harm on Documentary ShowcaseBy: Scientology Network DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Scientology Network. Filmed across five rural American communities, Right to Harm follows residents living near large-scale industrial livestock operations—known as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)—as they face rising public health risks and limited recourse. A leading expert on sustainable agriculture refers to the issue as the "dark side of agriculture," With local agencies often unresponsive, citizens take matters into their own hands, speaking out at public forums and organizing for change. Annie Speicher and Matt Wechsler, known for their work at the intersection of food systems and environmental justice, bring urgency and clarity to a story unfolding far from national headlines. Right to Harm premiered at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival and went on to win the Jury Award at the Kansas International Film Festival. ABOUT MATT WECHSLER Matt Wechsler is an acclaimed filmmaker and founder of the Chicago-based production company Hourglass Films. Raised in a family video production business, he transitioned from over a decade of commercial work—servicing more than 500 clients—to pursue documentary filmmaking. His productions have earned two local EMMY® Award nominations and multiple film festival awards. During an interview with Scientology Network's DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE, Wechsler conveyed his hopes for the documentary: "I'd like to look back 30 to 40 years from now and be a part of a resilient food system and say, 'I helped to build that. My films helped persuade people that we needed to change what we were doing.'" ABOUT ANNIE SPEICHER Annie Speicher is a filmmaker, editor and sustainable food advocate with over two decades of experience in nonfiction storytelling. She began her career in television as an editor on Mexico: One Plate at a Time with chef Rick Bayless. Going forward, Speicher contributed to numerous award-winning television series and independent documentaries including projects that have premiered on such platforms as Netflix. In an interview with Scientology Network for DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE, Annie said: "I think it's foolish to think that any of us are just an island or just our family is an island.... And I think it's important to open your eyes and look around and see what you can do to make a difference." -- DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE debuts films weekly from award-winning Independent filmmakers whose goal is to improve society by raising awareness of social, cultural and environmental issues. For more information, visit scientology.tv/ End
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