“Kim’s Dream,” a moving short film about Dream Foundation Dream recipient Kim Schwich will be featured on Thursday, Sept. 5 as a part of SBIFF’s Santa Barbara Filmmaker Series.
The film, by award-winning director Jeff Harasimowicz, will screen at 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. at SBIFF’s Education Center, 1330 State St., Ste. 101.
Wife and mother Kim Schwich was one of the thousands who went to help after the attacks on 9/11.
She worked closely with those sifting through the 1.2 million tons of material from the Twin Towers for anything that would help provide answers to grief-stricken people whose loved ones were missing.
Tragically, Schwich was exposed to toxins in the air, which resulted in terminal cancer.
“I know this work will take my life,” Schwich said in a letter to Dream Foundation. “I do not have any regrets.”
She contacted Dream Foundation for help with her dream of returning to New York with her family to share what she had done following the attacks and what it meant.
Dream Foundation made her dream come true in January 2024.
“Kim’s Dream” revisits the events of 9/11 and its aftermath. It follows Schwich’s return to New York with an unexpected and dramatic reunion, providing a glimpse into the lives of one of the unsung heroes of the time — an ordinary civilian doing something extraordinary in the face of adversity.
“Kim’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of Dreams, and the enduring impact of compassion,” said Dream Foundation CEO Kisa Heyer.
“It is a privilege to share her dream with our community as we honor her sacrifice and remember a day that changed the course of history,” she said.
Heyer and Dream Foundation staff will attend the screening and will answer questions.
For more information, visit https://sbiff.org/education/sbfilmmakerseries/.
The Santa Barbara Filmmaker Series occurs monthly, in conjunction with Downtown Santa Barbara’s 1st Thursday. During the series, which is free and open to the public, SBIFF opens the doors to its Education Center to showcase the work of a local filmmaker.
In addition to being a platform for new films and local talent, the Santa Barbara Filmmaker Series nurtures conversation and community.
Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting organization for terminally-ill adults, fulfills final dreams that provide inspiration, comfort and closure at the end of life.
Supported by a nationwide network of volunteers, hospices, healthcare organizations and donors, the organization has served more than 35,000 final dreams over the last 30 years.
Dream Foundation receives no state or federal funding, relying on individual and corporate donations. To support the mission, visit DreamFoundation.org/donate.