Papertown has been in production since the announcement of the mill closure in March 2023. We have received generous grants from the Ford Foundation, Catapult Film Fund, and Foundation for the Carolinas.  

Our film moves with the community in real time, from the shock of the announcement to the mill’s final whistle into the unknown future. We witness the confusion and heartbreak as rumors spread, questions go unanswered, and the company, Pactiv Evergreen, remains silent. 

As details emerge of executives profiting from stock trades just days before the news, anger and betrayal deepen. Through it all, we stay close to the workers, families, and neighbors who must reckon with the loss of an industry that shaped them for generations, and the uncertain future that lies ahead. 

As of August 2025, we are in the final stretch and working towards submitting to the Sundance Film Festival this fall. We still have a heavy lift in post-production to complete the film, and we are actively seeking additional support to bring this film to fruition.

If you are interested in contributing through a grant, donation, or investment, please review our samples and pitch deck. Visit our IDA link below for a tax-deductible donation or click the button below to contact us directly.