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'Leave Them Laughing'

A Musical Comedy About Dying

When comedians get huge laughs from an audience, it's referred to as having "killed it;" when a comedian tanks, they "die" on stage. When Canadian comedian Carla Zilbersmith is diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), she kills it while dying. Academy Award-winning Canadian filmmaker John Zaritsky takes us on a journey into the life and oncoming death of Carla who is determined to suck every last drop of pleasure from life before she has to go.

The Globe and Mail named it one of the "ten films to see" at the Vancouver International Film Festival, out of almost 400 films at the event, and it won the National Film Board Award for most popular Canadian documentary.

"This film is as smart and funny as its subject ... Leave Them Laughing will leave audiences feeling uplifted." (Marsha Lederman, Globe and Mail)

This is one of those films that "sounds like a drag but winds up being poignant and laugh-out-loud funny. An emotional roller coaster of fabulous proportions." (Susan G. Cole, NOW - Toronto)

‘Leave Them Laughing’ is winning awards, festival invitations, and the hearts of critics and audiences - all the more remarkable because it is not yet completed or released. 100% of the funding for this film to date has been through the personal contributions of the director, producer, and other individuals hoping to help make a difference. 

“‘Leave Them Laughing’ is a triumph of the spirit -- a cold-turkey cure for self-pity and debilitating trivialities. And, with proper distribution and the enthusiastic reception it deserves, will increase awareness of ALS and those who so bravely live with it. And hopefully hasten a cure.” (Jeannine Frank)

“Please help this film become as stellar as it can be. This film deserves it. Those living with ALS, and all touched by its far-reaching fingers, need it.” (Kathryn Dunmore, ALS Society of Ontario)

Please share this with your friends and join us on October 21st at the Globe Cinema Calgary for this experience.

• Film will show at 7:30pm 
• For VIP ticket holders, the pre-show Meet & Greet with Oscar-winning director John Zaritsky and advance seating for the film will begin at 6:30pm. 
• Audience Q & A session to follow
• VIP ticket holders and sponsors are invited to attend the private Leave Them Laughing after-party at The Unicorn, Calgary's original pub. Includes champagne reception and live entertainment. (304 8 Ave SW, Calgary, 5 minute walk from Globe Cinema)

Your ticket purchase and attendance will directly benefit the completion of this film and its release as a valuable tool for ALS awareness and support. But we have even more great opportunities for you to be involved!

Your Name in the Credits

All donations of $1000 CDN or more will receive acknowledgment in the film credits.

Spend a Day with the Director

Do you enjoy the Director's Notes feature on DVDs? Imagine what it would be like to spend an entire day hanging out with an Academy Award winning filmmaker. John Zaritsky has been making movies for more than three decades and has won more than 30 awards for his documentary films. Earning an Oscar for "Just Another Missing Kid" is only one of many great stories that he can artfully entertain you with. For donations of $4,000 CDN or more you will be flown from Calgary to Vancouver for a full day of adventure where you will spend it with John on a film set and at his favourite places. Be sure to ask him about kites!

All contributions go directly to the completion of this film.

If you want to help this film get completed and released but cannot attend on October 21st, please consider contributing by clicking HERE.

For more information about the film visit http://leavethemlaughingfilm.com

For more information about the Calgary screening event, Your Name in the Credits, Spend a Day with the Director, or opportunities to contribute to this amazing project, email contact@leavethemlaughingcalgary.com.

Film trailer (from http://www.leavethemlaughingfilm.com/blog/demo)

Special thanks to event contributors:

Globe Cinema Calgary, Landmark Cinemas
The Unicorn - "Calgary's original pub"
Rileys Printing, Calgary
The Blackfoot Inn
More Time in a Day
Red Carpet Comedy
Kensington Health Group
Vagabond Blonde
The ALS Society of Alberta

GST# 864305883 RT0001