We support people impacted by cancer through the art and business of cinema.
Film has the power to create community, to advocate, to educate, and to make cancer suck just a little less.
At the Melissa and Jimmy Boratyn Foundation we believe art can be transformational.
Through our films, we highlight the nuances and shared experiences that are unique to the cancer community. We believe it’s vital for people struggling with cancer to be able to see their stories portrayed on screen and remind them that they are never alone.
We do this by producing films that start conversations and hosting community screenings where thrivers, caregivers, medical professionals, and others can watch the films, hear from guest speakers, and meet new friends who may be impacted by the same fucked up illness.
“I wanted to make a movie about a wild, messy young woman who gets breast cancer, because I knew there were other young people like me — but I couldn’t find them.”
— Melissa Beck-Boratyn - Medium
“The idea for [Ginger] was born from my desire to see my experience on-screen. The first hospital I went to for treatment had little to no resources for young adults, and I never had exposure to anything close to a community with other people my age. Being bald and sick at 23 years old was extremely isolating. I wanted to take it upon myself to create something for people who felt alone, just like I did.”
— Melissa Beck-Boratyn
“The writing [in Ginger] speaks strongly with pathos in not only providing naturalistic and engaging conversation for its characters as Ginger and company struggle with her disease, but additionally colors realistic tolls such as that of financial stress due to the localized issue of the cruelly expensive nature of American healthcare.”
— Chai Simone - Film Snob Reviews
“From an artistic perspective, the Boratyns hoped Ginger would provide guidance and representation for women diagnosed with breast cancer at such a young age…Ginger is clearly an extraordinary filmmaking achievement worthy of the highest accolades.”
— Joey Filer - Reel Chicago
Using the film business to support metastatic cancer research.
Films can generate revenue for years or even decades through ticket sales, merchandise sales, streaming revenue, advertising, and TV deals. Our goal is to use these revenue streams to support metastatic cancer research.