NYSOFA Sponsors ‘All The Lonely People’: Twenty Free Film Screenings & Community Conversations on the Hidden Epidemic of Social Isolation

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), Association on Aging in New York (AgingNY), and filmmakers from the Clowder Group are joining approximately 20 community partners for All The Lonely People: Film Screenings and Community Conversations about Social Isolation at locations across New York.

All The Lonely People is a new social-impact documentary about the epidemic of social isolation on all age groups. It is produced, written, and directed by Joseph Applebaum and Stu Maddux, co-founders and principals at the Clowder Group, a film production company specializing in social impact features.

The upcoming statewide film screenings are being hosted locally by county offices for the aging and other community services organizations. The in-person screenings will include a facilitated Q&A with the film's producers, offering a forum for community discussion about ways to develop resilience and implement strategies to combat social isolation.

All are invited to join one of these important conversations at a location near you (see the list of screenings below). Each program consists of screening the documentary (69 minutes) and a facilitated dialogue on the issues of loneliness and social isolation. Please note that seating is limited, and most locations require an advance RSVP or pre-registration.

In 2017, the U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation to be a "global epidemic" - one that has only worsened in the COVID-19 health emergency. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, social isolation drives $6.7 billion in additional associated Medicare spending per year. The health consequences of loneliness and isolation are equivalent to smoking almost a pack of cigarettes daily. The added stress of feeling alone increases heart disease and even earlier onset of dementia.

All The Lonely People examines this epidemic on a deeply personal level. It follows a handful of people from different walks of life as they overcome social isolation and chronic loneliness, including New York residents Ari Rossen and Tony Westbrook, as well as people like Mary Hill, an 89-year-old caregiver who faces isolation in the rural countryside of England.

NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said: "About a year ago, I had the privilege of previewing this powerful documentary. I immediately saw its alignment with the work that NYSOFA and the aging services network are collectively doing to combat social isolation for older adults. I also saw it as a tool to raise awareness about the need for this work on multiple levels, including a broader community reach, as isolation impacts people of all ages. The film examines an issue that profoundly affects older adults, but it also features people from all walks of life and age groups, showing the many ways that we are all touched by social isolation. This is an issue that existed prior to the pandemic. Yet the social disruptions of COVID-19 fundamentally exacerbated it - and, in many ways, helped open our eyes to the problem. NYSOFA is proud to work with filmmakers from the Clowder Group and local partners to host these screenings and use the power of film to inspire conversation about one of the most pressing cultural issues of our time."

New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said: "Social isolation and loneliness can have a devastating impact on our mental and physical health. Now more than ever, with the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness, anxiety and fear are affecting the health and wellness of millions of people across the globe. This important documentary explores the causes and effects of isolation and loneliness. I am very grateful to the filmmakers, the NYS Office for the Aging, and to the groups and organizations screening the documentary in the weeks ahead. It will help to initiate important community-wide discussions on how we can address this growing problem."

Association on Aging In New York (AgingNY) Executive Director Becky Preve said: "The Association on Aging in New York is thrilled to bring the award-winning producers of All the Lonely People to New York. Social isolation has far-reaching, devastating impacts, and the aging services network has worked diligently to address this public health epidemic. All the Lonely People is a thought-provoking documentary that not only looks at the issue across the age spectrum, but it also provides tools for local communities to address social isolation. The opportunity to bring film screenings to all areas of the state will raise awareness of this critical issue, opening up conversation at the local level on effective ways to address the serious issues examined by this film. This project again shows the commitment of New York State to support older New Yorkers and their families."

All The Lonely People Producer Joe Applebaum said: "We are thrilled at this opportunity to support organizations across the state that are doing amazing things to ease loneliness and isolation. New York is making a meaningful commitment to easing loneliness and isolation."

All The Lonely People Writer and Director Stu Maddux said: "This is more than just watching a film. It's a chance to reconnect after a life-changing few years of isolation."

Upcoming Screenings: Free and Open to the Public

Where indicated, please RSVP in advance or pre-register before attending any of the site locations below.

October 17, 2022 at 6 p.m.

Long Island Arts Council at Freeport
Bellmore Movies and Showplace
222 Pettit Avenue
Bellmore, NY 11710
RSVP by October 10, 2022 to (516) 223-2522 or [email protected]

October 19, 2022 at 6 p.m.

B'nai Jeshurun
257 West 88th Street
New York, NY 10024
RSVP to Alexa Uttamsingh at [email protected], or call (919) 441-5045

October 21, 2022 at 1 p.m.

Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services
Auditorium
112 Old Route 6
Carmel, NY 10512
Please register at AllTheLonelyPeoplePutnam.eventbrite.com or call (845) 808-1700

Poughkeepsie Public Library
Boardman Road Branch
141 Boardman Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
RSVP at (845) 486-2555

October 25, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.

Walton Theater
30 Gardiner Place
Walton, NY 13856

SUNY Delhi
Okun Theatre
Farrell Student and Community Center
454 Delhi Drive
Delhi, NY 13753

SUNY Cobleskill
Bouck Hall Theater
106 Suffolk Circle
Cobleskill, NY 12043

Fulton Montgomery Community College
Rao Theater
2805 State Highway 67
Johnstown, NY 12095
RSVP at (518) 736-5650

October 26, 2022 at 3 p.m.

SUNY Canton
Kingston Theater
34 Cornell Drive
Canton, NY 13617
RSVP at (315) 386-4730

October 28, 2022 at 1 p.m.

Upstate Oasis
6333 State Route 298
East Syracuse, NY 13057
RSVP by October 21, 2022 at (315) 435-2362 x4942 or [email protected]

Oswego County Public Health Building
Entrance B
Training Room, 1st Floor
70 Bunner Street
Oswego, NY 13126
RSVP by October 26, 2022 at (315) 349-3484

Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library
10 West Ramapo Road
Garnerville, NY 10923
Pre-registration is required by calling (845) 364-2100 or (845) 364-2110

November 1, 2022 at 2 p.m.

Ithaca College
Textor Hall 102
953 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/ce6k8kE8zV

Southeast Steuben County Library
Community Room
300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza, Suite 101
Corning, NY 14830
For reservations, call (607) 664-2298

Chemung County Human Resources Building
Auditorium
425 Pennsylvania Avenue
Elmira, NY 14904
RSVP recommended at (607) 737-5520

Herkimer College
Robert McLaughlin College Center Amphitheater
100 Reservoir Road
Herkimer, NY 13350
RSVP by October 28, 2022 at (315) 867-1371

Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre
219 Main Street
Hurleyville, NY 12747
(Immediately following Office for the Aging Public Hearing)
Pre-register at (845) 807-0241

November 2, 2022 at 3 p.m.

Genesee County Office for the Aging
2 Bank Street
Batavia, NY 14020
RSVP at (585) 343-1611

Lifespan of Greater Rochester
1900 South Clinton Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618
RSVP at (585) 753-6280

November 4, 2022 at 3 p.m.

Robert H. Jackson Center
305 East 4th Street
Jamestown, NY 14701

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