DAVIS, Calif. – American Winter, a documentary feature film on American poverty, was screened at UC Davis on May 22, accompanied by a resource fair and panel discussion moderated by Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor.

Directed by Emmy award-winning filmmakers Joe and Harry Gantz American Winter follows the personal stories of eight families struggling in the wake of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The film presents an intimate snapshot of the state of the economy as it is playing out in the lives of American families, and highlights the human impact of budget cuts to social services, a shrinking middle class, and the fracturing of the American Dream.

Since the film’s release, it has been reviewed and praised by top media including The Washington Post, The Nation, NBC, NPR and many others.

Harry Gantz attended the screening at UC Davis and participated in the panel discussion to follow.

A resource fair took place from 5:30pm to 6:30pm outside of Young Hall, and included booths from CalFresh, Recycling is Simply Elementary (RISE), the Davis Food Co-op, The Yolo County Food Bank, the UC Davis Food Pantry, the Yolo County Children’s Alliance and 211 Yolo.

May is CalFresh awareness month, and at the resource fair the CalFresh Outreach Team staffed a booth to answer questions about the food assistance program.

Following the film, Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor moderated a Q&A panel discussion with Center for Poverty Research Director Ann Stevens, film director Harry Ganz, ASUCD President Armando Figueroa and representatives from RISE and CalFresh.

The screening was co-sponsored by the UC Davis Center for Poverty Research, Yolo County, Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor’s Office and the free information and referral service 211 Yolo.