DUST - An Accidental Time Capsule: Conversation and Documentary Screening

Join Bird's Bookstore for a special seated conversation between author David Searcy and director Mark Birnbaum on DUST, a documentary inspired by a remarkable photographic archive discovered in Corsicana, Texas. DUST was directed by Mark Birnbaum and produced by Michael Thomas and Allison V. Smith.

We will begin the evening by showing the documentary teaser, which is 4 minutes 44 seconds, followed by a 45-minute conversation between David Searcy and Mark Birnbaum. Afterwards, we'll open up the room for a Q & A.

Tickets include a copy of the DUST catalog and a set of five locally printed postcards from the book.

About DUST

Film dropped-off for development at the local Copy Center (four blocks south of 100 West) didn't always get picked up. Thousands of awaiting photographs were stashed in boxes, eventually forgotten beneath decades of files until the Copy Center underwent renovation in 2019. The collection of work contains over 5,000 unclaimed photographs and negatives dating from 1943–1968, capturing everyday life across Corsicana and Navarro County in post-war America. This accidental time capsule chronicling daily life surfaced for our resident alumnus Michael Thomas (founder and editor of 1814 Magazine), who has prepared this collection for responsible archiving and exhibition with Allison V. Smith (author and photographer).

About the Director

Mark Birnbaum is an American producer, director, and editor, who has made several award-winning documentaries. Birnbaum began making films while serving in the United States Army as a photographer and filmmaker in Vietnam. He is known for his interview-driven narrative style where the power of authenticity yields intimate, compelling stories.

Birnbaum is the recipient of the Peabody Broadcasting Award, Best Documentary, Universe Multicultural Film Festival, Best Documentary, Deep Ellum Film Festival, Grand Film Festival Award - Documentary, Berkeley Video & Film Festival, Insight Award, National Association of Film and Media Artists, and the Preservation Dallas Education Award.

A Message from Mark Birnbaum, Director

“Completion of the four-minute teaser for DUST marks a milestone in the life of our feature documentary film. It showcases our story and provides a glimpse of the visual style and musical score we are developing. With it we can now begin our major fundraising campaign, including grant applications , and undertake the research needed to discover the people and stories hidden in the remarkable collection of photos that comprise our accidental time capsule.” - Mark Birnbaum, Director

Tickets

Discussion + Copy of the book: $50
Ticket includes a copy of the DUST catalog and a set of 5 postcards from the book.