Betsy Blankenbaker is an author, humanitarian, and veteran filmmaker of several acclaimed feature documentaries. She founded Figaro Films, Inc. in 1998 to produce important films which inspire, enlighten, entertain and educate.
Her feature documentary, New York in the Fifties (2001), was hailed as “an enlightening and entertaining history lesson about one of the most creative and influential groups of individuals in the 20th century” by Box Office Magazine.
After earning the trust of Crispus Attucks High’s players and coaches, she was selected to produce Something to Cheer About, which received a grant from the Roy W. Dean Foundation for “Excellence and Dedication in filmmaking” and was selected by the International Documentary Association’s 2002 Film Festival.
Amongst her various philanthropic contributions, Blankenbaker founded House of Loveness after a personal trip to Africa resulted in a heartbreaking tragedy. Her organization provides care and education to abandoned and orphaned children in Zimbabwe and offers hope for a brighter future. Deeply connected to the community, she spends several weeks a year working overseas with the children.
To learn more, or join her in Zimbabwe for a retreat: http://house-of-loveness.blogspot.com/
Learn more about Betsy from this talk she gave at Catalyst Week: https://vimeo.com/86375701
Born and raised in Indiana, Blankenbaker began her career as a producer/writer of commercials and nonfiction programming after obtaining a BFA in broadcast journalism from Southern Methodist University. She is the mother of four children and, when she isn’t travelling, calls Florida home.
