PARK CITY, January 28, 2007  –  Cynthia Wade’s nail-biting 38-minute documentary film Freeheld, chronicling New Jersey Police Lieutenant Laurel Hester’s struggle to transfer her pension to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree, was awarded a Special Jury Prize last night at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

The film is the only short documentary in this year’s festival to receive a Special Jury Prize, an award that recognizes unique vision and excellence in filmmaking.

Detective Lieutenant Laurel Hester spent 25 years defending the citizens of Ocean County, New Jersey.  In October 2004, doctors diagnosed Lt. Hester with terminal lung cancer. 

Lt. Hester’s fight for her life soon became an internationally witnessed battle as she tried to pass her hard earned pension to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree.  Without Hester’s pension, Andree, an auto mechanic, would not be able to afford to keep their home.

Had they been a heterosexual married couple, there would have been no issue in passing on the pension.

With less than six months to live, Hester refuses to back down when her elected officials – the Ocean County Freeholders – deny her request to leave her pension to Andree.  As her battle with the Freeholders intensifies and the community becomes embroiled in the fight, Hester courageously races against time to provide for the love of her life.

Alternating from packed public demonstrations to quiet, tender moments of Hester and Andree at home, Freeheld tells both the public story of their fight and the intimate story of Laurel and Stacie facing the reality of losing each other. 

■ Director Cynthia Wade

Award-winning director Cynthia Wade is known for making unflinching films about controversial social issues, usually told through the eyes of a strong female character.  During Hester’s last dying days, Wade lived with the couple, imbuing the film with an intimacy unavailable to the mainstream media. 

“Laurel and Stacie believed that their personal story could make a difference for same-sex couples around the nation,” said Ms. Wade when she learned that her film had won a Special Jury Prize.

“The Sundance prize is a testament to their faith and belief that their struggle could make a difference in the fight for equality.  This award belongs to Laurel and Stacie.”

The Sundance Film Festival is considered the premiere showcase for U.S. and international independent film.  For the 2007 festival, Sundance received 7,732 total submissions from around the world, 4,445 of them short films.

In total, 71 short films were selected to screen at the festival, only 12 of which were short documentaries. The short film jury awarded three prizes to short films; Freeheld was the only short documentary to receive a Special Jury Prize.

“The 2007 Sundance Film Festival award-winners reflect the talent, diversity and evolution of independent film and exemplify the artistic power of film to illuminate and explore issues that are prevalent in our global society,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, Director of the Sundance Film Festival.

And John Cooper, the Festival’s director of programming pointed out that there was an artistry to making a short film, whether cutting-edge drama, animation or just shining examples of this often overlooked genre.

“At Sundance we work hard not only to find the best-made shorts possible, but we continue to explore ways to bring them well-deserved attention and higher profile.”

There will be an encore screening of Freeheld this evening (Sunday January 28), in the Park City Library Theatre at 6:00 pm (Mountain Time).  Producer Vanessa Roth, who accepted the award last night, will be attending today’s screening in Park City.

SEE ALSO

Lt. Laurel Hester's impassioned video message to the Ocean County ‘Freeholders’  (Garden State Equality), January 18, 2006)

Straight Man Appeals for Justice for Dying Lesbian Cop.  Commentary.  Dane Wells, who describes himself as a “run-of-the-mill, middle-aged straight guy”, is not very happy with the movers and shakers of his local community, Ocean County in New Jersey.  The retired policeman is angry because Ocean County will not extend “domestic partner benefits” to a former colleague, Lt. Laurel Hester, who is terminally ill with lung cancer - and is gay.  (UK Gay News, November 26, 2005)

Laurel’s Legacy: A Quest for Gay Justice in New Jersey, by Dane Wells.  For nearly half a century now, I have been proud to call myself an Ocean County native.  Among the many highlights of my life have been the years I spent in law enforcement with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, where I worked alongside Lt. Laurel Hester.  (UK Gay News, November 26, 2005)

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