June 1, 2010

Alumni Spotlight: Mercedes Kane

Mercedes Kane

A documentary film produced by an Eastern Illinois University Communication Studies graduate was honored at a recent statewide film festival.  

Mercedes (Sowder) Kane (B.A. ’01) was both producer and director of “Hearts of Hope” as part of her graduate thesis project while she was completing her Master of Fine Arts degree at Governors State University. The film was named Best Student Documentary at the 2009 Illinois International Film Festival.

“Hearts of Hope” focuses on Dr. Michel Ilbawi and the pediatric heart surgical team at Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The film follows three infants who underwent heart surgery in 2007 and 2008, and the impact on their families.

Kane became interested in the subject because she has relatives working in the pediatric heart surgical unit at Hope Children’s Hospital.

Kane is now working as an associate producer at Kindle Communications in Chicago. She helps produce live events and video features for corporate clients, including McDonald’s.

Kane returned to EIU for Communication Studies Day on March 31 for a screening of the film and to talk to students about producing documentary films.

More information about “Hearts of Hope” is available by visiting the website for the film: www.heartsofhopethemovie.com.