Does Forgiveness Really Matter? One Filmmaker Thinks It Does

NOVI, Mich., April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 48-year old Novi, Mich. resident Shawne Duperon deeply understands the topic of forgiveness. This business woman and speaker, who is a survivor of child molestation, travels the globe talking about the business of forgiveness in corporate settings.

She's now making a movie on forgiveness called Project: Forgive.

The film's inspiration comes from Michigan man Gary Weinstein, who tragically lost his wife Judy, and sons Alex (12) and Sam (8), nearly 7 years ago when Tom Wellinger drove drunk one fateful May day.

Duperon knows Gary's family well. Her children babysat Gary's kids. Judy was her husband's business coach. Duperon also happens to know the driver, Tom Wellinger, another dear family friend.

On one hand you have a drunk driver who took a family. On the other, you have a loving and kind man, who made a horrific mistake. A dilemma and a movie were created. The ability to hold two very different perceptions at the same moment is where the breakthroughs lie and where the heart of a very different kind of conversation is being shared.

Duperon and her Canadian business partner, Teresa de Grosbois are on a mission of forgiveness. They've started a kickstarter campaign to secure funding for this important film at www.projectforgive.com.

The video on the site is causing a viral flood of support. Gary's compelling story, along with Duperon's revelations on the topic is resonating with people across the globe. The filmmakers have already received thousands of emails, posts and funding pledges the last two weeks in support of the mission and film.

Project: Forgive fundraising success to date:
- 227 Backers
- $32,596 pledged of $100,000 goal

Through word-of-mouth online and in-person, Project: Forgive has already raised nearly $33,000 of its $100,000 goal. With just under three weeks to go, Duperon and Grosbois are confident they'll make their goal to turn Project: Forgive into a film that will undoubtedly touch lives.

Spiritual leader Marianne Williamson has already endorsed the film. Celebrity author Jack Canfield of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series has signed on to be a part of the film. Scott Rosenfelt, the producer credited with discovering Julia Roberts and creating the "Home Alone" movies, is co-producing with Duperon. Other celebrities are on board and will be unveiled during film production in the coming months.

Recent press can be found at:

Detroit Free Press:
http://www.freep.com/article/20120401/COL10/204010497/Man-who-lost-his-family-finds-forgiveness-gives-him-peace?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Inc. Magazine:
http://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/fear-forgiveness-and-funky-smells.html

Everyone is in need of a little forgiveness. From losing your job, to going bankrupt, to political disharmony, immigration issues, war and violence -- a new realm of possibility is available through a different kind of conversation. Duperon and Grosbois believe that conversation is forgiveness.

Gary has become a part of the project in hopes that people will pledge their support for the film to pay tribute to Judy, Sam and Alex, as well as for anyone else who may have lost someone and is on their journey of forgiveness.

Shawne and Gary are available for interviews on Monday, April 2, 2012 at:
Weinstein Jewelers, 41990 Grand River, Novi, MI (between Novi Rd and Meadowbrook)

A media website is set up to download split audio/video and story information at: http://shawnetv.com/media

To secure a media interview, contact:
Sue Voyles, Logos Communications, sue(at)logos-communications.com, 734-667-2005 or Christine D'Angela, christine(at)logos-communications.com, (586) 601-4340
and Shawne Duperon, Shawne(at)shawnetv.com, 248-444-7573

SOURCE Project: Forgive