AlzAuthors 10th Anniversary Film Festival: Spotlight on “The Present” with C. Nathaniel Brown
Dec 17, 2025 12:00 pm
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Hello ,
We’re excited to bring you our latest podcast episode, "The Present”: Honoring Grief, Legacy, and Connection After Dementia" with C. Nathaniel Brown, aka Chuck, where we wrap up our first-ever AlzAuthors Film Festival in celebration of our 10th anniversary. This special conversation explores the intersections of grief, storytelling, and the importance of preserving memories on the dementia journey.
Hosts Marianne and Christy welcome Chuck, an award-winning filmmaker, best-selling author, and storytelling coach, to the podcast. As the CEO of Expected End Entertainment and founder of Exposed Dementia Inc., Chuck is a passionate advocate for using media to educate, reduce stigma, and support caregivers and those living with dementia.
Film Festival Reflections
The discussion centers around “The Present,” Chuck’s poignant short film that takes place the first Christmas after the death of the beloved family matriarch due to Alzheimer's. Set during the holiday season, the film beautifully examines the raw feelings encountered after loss, while also emphasizing the healing power of intentional legacy-building.
Themes Explored
- Creation of “The Present": Chuck shared how his own family’s experiences with dementia inspired this story, and how he harnessed the power of legacy items, like letters and recordings, to offer comfort and connection for the next generation. He emphasized that anyone can create lasting memories—whether through video, photographs, writing, or shared creative projects.
- Living in the Now: The present moment is a gift—for those living with dementia, it is often the only time they have. The film reminds us to create and cherish memories now rather than waiting for the “right time.”
- Community and Grief: The panelists reflected on the essential roles that friends, family, and even small gestures of support play for those grieving a loss. Acknowledging grief, especially during the holidays, can ease feelings of invisibility.
- Navigating Modern Memory Tools: The group discussed the evolving role of technology in memory preservation—from video prompts to digital interviews. While technology can bridge generational gaps, the episode highlights that nothing replaces authentic, heartfelt connection.
- Men and Grief: Unique insights were shared into how different family members might avoid or process grief in their own ways, as shown through characters in Chuck’s film.
- What’s Next for Chuck: He revealed upcoming projects, including his second dementia-focused book, a new art exhibit, and a resource initiative aimed at the African American and Latino communities. Plus, don’t miss news about the 2026 Expose Dementia Conference!
Key Takeaway: The Gift of Connection
Chuck offered profound advice for anyone struggling through a first holiday without a loved one: Don’t isolate. Surround yourself with those who care, even if it’s just to share silence. You don’t have to carry your grief alone.
Stay Connected
- Access the full roster of film festival selections and discussions on our website: alzauthors.com
- Listen to Untangling Alzheimer’s & Dementia wherever you get your podcasts and browse our extensive library of over 150 episodes.
Thank you for being part of our community, for sharing your stories, and for supporting each other on this complex journey.
Remember: "One can sing a lonely song, but we chose to form a choir and create harmony."
Wishing you peace and connection this holiday season,
Marianne, Jean, Vicki, Ann, Susan, and Christy
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The Film Festival Has Come to a Close
Get all the details on the blog.
Previous FIlm Discussions
September:
Planet A by Mary Crescenzo—A poetic, theatrical journey into the world of Alzheimer’s, bringing real voices and experiences to the stage and screen. 112 minutes. Free on YouTube. Listen to film discussion here.
No Country for Old People by Susie Singer Carter—A riveting, three-part investigative documentary (as seen on Amazon Prime) exposing the challenges of memory care facilities. We're viewing Part One. 118 minutes.
Part 1 free on Vimeo. Please watch Parts 2 & 3 on Amazon Prime Video, $4.99
Listen to film discussion here.
October:
Lousy: Love in the Time of Dementia by Frank Silverstein—A heartfelt short film capturing the loving but difficult realities of caregiving for two parents with dementia. 15 minutes. $3.99 on Terra Nova Films
Listen to film discussion here.
November:
Wine, Women and Dementia by Kitty Norton—Join Kitty as she travels cross-country to meet other caregivers, forming community and sharing laughter, tears, and hard-earned wisdom. 127 minutes. A PBS Exclusive one-hour version is now playing on local PBS stations around the U.S. Check here to see if it's playing in your area. From November 1 through November 30, the full-length feature (87 minutes) uncut and uncensored with more caregiver tales(!) than the PBS exclusive 1-hour version will be exclusively available to film festival viewers on Eventive for just $6. Get it here.
Listen to film discussion here.
December:
The Present by C. Nathan Brown—A moving family drama about navigating grief and togetherness after losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s. 21 minutes.
Free on YouTube.Listen to film discussion here.
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Please rate, review, and recommend all of the films wherever you view them.
Please share this email with everyone you know in Dementia World, especially caregivers who may be looking for valuable information and inspiration for their caregiving journeys.
More from AlzAuthors
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter/X and Blue Sky for caregiver tips, info and inspiration
- Check out our book collection with 400+ carefully vetted titles
- Listen to the Podcast
- Watch us on YouTube
Questions? Hit reply to this email.
Thanks to our friends who have supported this event on their podcasts and blogs:
- All Home Care Matters Podcast
- Alzheimer's Speaks Radio with Lori La Bey
- Being Patient Blog
- Connecting Caregivers Radio Show
- Dementia Spring
- Fading Memories Podcast
- Happy Healthy Caregiver
- Love Conquers ALZ Podcast
- The Memories Project
- Dr. Helena Popovic
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Dementia Spring News
We’re proud to share exciting news from our friends at he Dementia Spring Foundation: the 2025 Dementia Arts Fellows have been announced!
This year’s Fellows are advancing creative, community-centered storytelling around dementia:
- Starling Street, a narrative short film about 2 sisters, one living with dementia and the other her caregiver, from Christia Crocker and Heather Konowal
- DanceStream Project and Magda Kaczmarska: Stories in the Moment, a community-based program encouraging dance for brain health in older adults with cognitive impairment
- Improv for Caregivers, an improvisation-based theater program that helps caregivers to cope with daily challenges, from the New London Barn Playhouse and Sage Tokach, is receiving our inaugural Caregiver Engagement Fellowship
Join us in celebrating these artists and innovators who are reshaping how we understand dementia through the power of the arts.
For more information please visit Dementia Spring.
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Last Chance to Enter Our 10th Anniversary Book Giveaway!
We’ve still got books to give away!
Winners selected monthly!
Watch your email inbox for notification!
Enter once to win all year.
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Your Management Team
L to R: Vicki Tapia, Ann Campanella, Christy Byrne Yates,
Marianne Sciucco, Susan Landeis, and Jean Lee
How to reach us:
Marianne Sciucco: podcast host/producer
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Jean Lee: acquisitions editor, Custom Caregiver Collections
jean@alzheimersdaughter.com
Vicki Tapia: acquisitions editor, children's books
vicki.tapia@gmail.com
Ann Campanella: Custom Caregiver Collections
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Susan Landeis: Custom Caregiver Collections
contact@susanlandeis.com
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christy@cbyates.com
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