Not a Support Group
a documentary short film about hemophilia, HIV, and strength in community
Not a Support Group explores the stories of the Northern California men and women who created grassroots communities of support, where none existed, when confronted by the tragedies caused by the HIV-tainted blood supply in the 1980s.
In the 1980s, a failure in the American medical blood supply system led to the inadvertent infection of HIV in thousands of people across the U.S. Through interviews, archival footage, and expert insights, the film explores the tragedy and resilience of a group of Northern California men and women who sought out others who shared their experiences in order to navigate their individual challenges. The film highlights their struggles, stigma, and the unique forms of community support that emerged.
Witness how these communities turned their pain into advocacy for safer medical practices and increased awareness of Hemophilia and HIV. Not a Support Group celebrates personal resilience, community strength, and the indomitable spirit of those transformed by loss.
the film team
Sara L. Schwartz - Executive Producer
As faculty in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, Sara approaches teaching, scholarship, and filmmaking from a cross-disciplinary perspective bridging social work, anthropology, and visual arts. Sara founded the USC Visual Social Work Graduate Certificate to highlight counter-narrative storytelling using visual methods, including photovoice, ethnographic film, participatory video, visual archives, and textile arts. Her current scholarship examines the impact of historical trauma associated with AIDS, bleeding disorders, social exclusion, and forced displacement blending traditional qualitative interviewing with visual data. Sara serves on the Board of Directors of the National AIDS Memorial and co-founded the Surviving Voices Project, which annually produces short films on under-represented communities impacted by HIV/AIDS.
Michael Bodie - Producer/Director
Bodie is a filmmaker and educator who collaborated as an editor and co-producer on Sara Schwartz’s documentary short film, Gert’s Boys. He worked with Sundance Institute as an executive producer of their online video content for over a decade, and has produced, directed, edited many short films and music videos. As an Associate Professor of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, his work is focused on film, media, and immersive experiences that explore social and environmental justice.
Dana Francis - Producer/Community Advisor
Dana is a retired social worker who worked closely with the bleeding disorders community for 33 years. He worked with kids, young adults, their parents as well as men and women with bleeding issues. Dana continues to support and advocate for the community and is interested in having it's history recorded for future generations to appreciate and better understand.
Donate today!
Please support our film by making a tax deductible donation via the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California.