What happens when an adoptee is all grown up? Love Differently explores the importance of identity, how it could help save a life, and why a name matters. Diana shares her unique adoption story and why she believes change is in order. Even those of us who are not adopted can find ways to relate.
What happens when an adoptee is all grown up? Love Differently explores the importance of identity, how it could help save a life, and why a name matters. Diana shares her unique adoption story and why she believes change is in order. Even those of us who are not adopted can find ways to relate.
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Story
Mission Statement
Together we are fighting for the inequality adoptees face every day. As a filmmaker, I lean into stories that can create ripple effects of empathy as well as bring awareness to issues that affect change. I love the power storytelling has to connect with people of all different backgrounds.About The Project
"I mean some of the best people on the planet are adoptees because we just... we just love a little bit differently"
- Diana Hingenbottom
Love Differently is both a platform and a love letter. Diana, an adult adoptee residing in Wisconsin, speaks her truth through a balance of reality and hope. She tells her unique yet relatable adoption story and how her trajectory was changed when she became a part of a large community of adoptees. After a twisty turn of unfortunate yet pivotal events during a lifelong search for her identity, Diana is in pursuit of real change. Rightfully so, she wants to make sure no other "Diana's" have to go through what she went through.
What happened to Diana can be prevented. This documentary will highlight the ways identity shapes purpose and the importance of knowing where a person comes from. We will hear from Diana's newfound family, adoptee rights activists, and a DNA "Search Angel". It will also highlight the intricate damage that is done to a person who has restricted access to their information and the controversial history on why the laws were established. With DNA tests now available at our fingertips as well as adoptees going as far as hiring private investigators, do the old laws in Wisconsin even hold up? Currently, Wisconsin is 1 out of 22 states that have compromised laws that unjustly limit the rights of adult adoptees to obtain their own original birth certificates. There are only 9 states that have unrestricted access.
• What does it take to know your name? •
When I first heard Diana's story in January of 2020, I wanted to help give her a platform to share her advocacy work. Originally we had Diana's interview slated in March of 2020 and well... we all know what happened there. We temporarily paused production until we felt it was safe to continue. Even with everything that happened, we still felt this story was an important and timely one to tell. September, I safely gathered a small crew of two and shot her interview portion. Although I am not adopted, her testimony and drive to make a difference spoke to me in unmeasurable ways and reminded me why I got involved in the first place.
As a team, we value the experiences and voices of women and think Diana has a voice that can make waves of change for adoptees across Wisconsin. Following the COVID-19 state guidelines, our crew remains small but mighty with only having the essential members socially distanced on set like we did prior. We are excited to get back to production safely and shoot the remaining interviews. Once completed we plan to submit it to film festivals across the state and the U.S. We are optimistic about the potential impact this could have for the adoptee's rights movement.
Please join us on this journey!
Incentives
$15
Social Shoutout
$25
Love Differently Photoshop Filter
Because who doesn't love a good filter? You will receive a "This is how I love differently" social media filter over your picture of choice. Spread awareness and let everyone know how you love differently.
$50
6º of Kevin Bacon
Submit any celebrity name and Producer Natalie and I will go live on Instagram and play 6º of Kevin Bacon separation game!
$75
A Greek Family Recipe
Can't get enough Greek food?
Receive an authentic Anagnostopoulos family recipe that will make you say "OPA"!
$250
"Mom for a Day"
Diana will be your mom for a day (good only in the Wauwatosa area)! Includes encouraging texts, a coffee date, and/or homemade baked goodies.
Claimed: 2 of 10
$1,000
Executive Producer Credit
You will receive Executive Producer credit for the film. You will also be able to screen the finished film pre-release.
Claimed: 2 of 5
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$15
Social Shoutout
$25
Love Differently Photoshop Filter
Because who doesn't love a good filter? You will receive a "This is how I love differently" social media filter over your picture of choice. Spread awareness and let everyone know how you love differently.
$50
6º of Kevin Bacon
Submit any celebrity name and Producer Natalie and I will go live on Instagram and play 6º of Kevin Bacon separation game!
$75
A Greek Family Recipe
Can't get enough Greek food?
Receive an authentic Anagnostopoulos family recipe that will make you say "OPA"!
$250
"Mom for a Day"
Diana will be your mom for a day (good only in the Wauwatosa area)! Includes encouraging texts, a coffee date, and/or homemade baked goodies.
Claimed: 2 of 10
$1,000
Executive Producer Credit
You will receive Executive Producer credit for the film. You will also be able to screen the finished film pre-release.
Claimed: 2 of 5
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Emma Siewert | Director & Editor
Emma is a video editor for a non-profit and a freelance filmmaker based in Madison, WI. She has worked on many short films and also directed & edited her first award-winning documentary "Do if for Dozer" back in 2019. Emma is German, Irish, and Polish.
Natalie Pohorski | Producer
Natalie is a freelance film producer and film advocate in Madison, Wisconsin. She has produced several shorts and feature films, working on her first documentary at age 17. Natalie is Polish.
Diana Higgenbottom Anagnostopoulos | Executive Producer
Diana is an adoptee activist whose life story is the backbone and inspiration for Love Differently. She created the Adoptee Avenger Facebook page to help connect with other adoptees and is passionate about helping people seek their truth. Diana is Greek.
~ The Love Differently team is set to add more crew after the fundraising process ~
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