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Award Winner

Festival Season:

June 2026

A CULINARY UPRISING: THE STORY OF BLOODROOT

A CULINARY UPRISING: THE STORY OF BLOODROOT

Directors:

Writers:

Annie Laurie Medonis
​

Producers:

Tracy Nichole Cring, Julie Zimmerman, Dr. Rose Lauture, Sarah Parr, Rylee Leonard

Run Time:

1:22:00

Awarded for the following Category(s):

Awarded Category(s)

In the '70s and '80s, there were over 230 feminist restaurants, cafes, and coffeehouses throughout the United States and Canada. Bloodroot, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is now the oldest and longest lasting of those spaces, in continuous operation for over 46 years. A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot is a short documentary that explores this feminist, queer, vegan restaurant and bookstore, and illuminates the legacy of its pioneering proprietors, Selma Miriam and Noel Furie. Our film shares the history of Bloodroot, its place in the landscape of American feminist thought, and the impact it has had on the local community. It follows the restaurant’s founders, Selma and Noel, as well as the staff and customers that reveal why Bloodroot is much more than just a restaurant. Audiences get an intimate look inside these women’s 46-year working partnership, along with how they navigate sexism, homophobia, and the reality of getting older. Despite challenges, Bloodroot has endured as a beloved space for generations of feminists, vegans, and queer people who keep coming back.

Submitter Statement

On the second day of shooting this project, I found myself slumped in a seat at Bloodroot. I was exhausted by the hours of prep work I had already invested, and I was now focused intently on my iPhone’s camera settings. Noel, who is also a photographer, walked up to me and said “the footage you shot yesterday looked great. Selma looked like Selma. We both looked like ourselves!” Initially, I had questioned my decision to use mobile filmmaking methods, but I ultimately went with my gut as I wanted to capture the organic and unplanned interactions that make Bloodroot so special. Noel’s enthusiasm affirmed my decision, and a heavy weight was lifted off me. Noel continued, “You really get to know what someone thinks of you based on how you are shown on camera. It’s the person behind the lens that tells the story.” At that moment, I knew I was committed to this story for the long haul. My name is Annie Laurie Medonis. I am a documentary filmmaker, queer artist, and vegetarian foodie. As the first couple days of shooting turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, I developed a close relationship with Selma and Noel. I have spent hours with them, not only in the restaurant, but also in their homes. I have met their children, spent time in their gardens, and even helped Selma hang up orchids in her greenhouse. Bloodroot has become a second home for me, as it has for so many others. Selma and Noel have dedicated their lives to Bloodroot and the critical function it serves as a model for sustainable food practices and a gathering space for feminist and queer communities. At 88 and 78 years old, the story of Selma and Noel needs to be told now, while they are still with us to tell it.
Annie Laurie is a director and producer of short films, documentaries, and animation videos. Her passion for film has led her to travel all over the United States for film festivals, talks, and panels. She loves creating and telling stories that uplift and inspire people, often evoking strong emotions, and doesn’t limit herself to any one genre of film. She has received multiple awards, a nomination, and several official selections for her short films and documentaries on a diverse array of topics including domestic violence, female athletes, and cats. Since starting work on A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot, in December of 2020, Annie Laurie has had a whole new perspective on what it means to be a woman and a feminist. She is drawn to working with women entrepreneurs and artists. Inspired by Bloodroot’s 45 years of community impact and the tenacity of its founders, Selma and Noel, Annie Laurie created the women’s artist collective, Women Artists in Action. It provides female artists in the Boston area opportunities to create art, inspire one another, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Annie Laurie truly believes that we all have the power to make an impact in this world, and it starts with community.

Key Cast

Selma Miriam, Noel Furie

Other Credits

Editor: Tracy Nichole Cring

Composer: Grace Mary Burega

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