Dear Mark and Family —- 
From Meredith  - Part 2 
In terms of the important things — in the last few years Ann and I spoke at least once a week. She bolstered my spirits and fed my soul with her laughter and love. 
We also shared complicated personal journeys with our health and could strategize and promote self advocacy.   I literally can not believe she will not be a phone call away.  **Truly I send my love for your loss. Take good care and be well.

Dear Mark and Family—-!
From Meredith w
Ann and I met at Harvard - Radcliffe and worked on theater and film projects there. We followed a similar path into independent mission-driven media and worked together occasionally.  
The most important things were beyond “work”— Ann was a bright light in my life consistently for  four decades.  See Part 2

At the Boston premiere for Through A Lens Darkly (I believe) at the Museum of Fine Arts

At 2014 Sundance with Ann Bennett and some of our merch

Ann with one of her besties Lolita Parker Jr

At Sundance 2014 with Ann for our premiere of Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People - together with some of our amazing team of producers, executive producers, funders and composers

It's heartbreaking to hear of Ann's passing. I had the pleasure of knowing her through her years of work in independent documentary and media, most recently working with her and the team on Razing Liberty Square. Ann was humble, smart, fun and very generous. I always knew I was speaking with someone who was taking everything in and who would find a way to share that energy and knowledge with folks who sought or needed it. Ann's passing is a loss to our documentary community and beyond. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and neighbors. We're so sorry for your loss.

I'm lucky I got to know Ann during a fellowship. She was always kind and so generous, and I fondly remember some of the great advice she's given me along the way. Thanks for always fighting for social justice, and looking out for other women of color in this industry. Rest easy, Ann.

My condolences to the family and loved ones of Ann Bennett.  She will be missed.

Deepest condolences to the family. She sounded like an amazing woman. Her gifts and talents will surely be missed. Prayers go out to the family. So sorry for your loss 🙏🏽 

Mark & Dawn Matthews

In the mid-1990s, Ann was a vital member of the "Africans in America" team. She was one of the most generous, supportive and good-natured colleagues I've ever had. She will be missed by so many.

I will surely miss you! You were amazing. You made my first visit to America so much easier and fruitful. I was young and needed guidance and you provided that in plenty and with love. I will treasure your memory in my heart. Rest in peace my dear big sis. Kay Ramtu from Nairobi, Kenya.

As a teenager, Ann was warm, lively, and a vital  member of the dorm. 
I am proud but not surprised to read of her many accompishments and greatly saddened to hear of her early death.  Bishop Ann Tottenham

I met dear Ann over a decade ago when she hired me as an intern to work on a film project where she was our wonderful producer.  

She became a dear friend, teacher, and mentor to me and she has positively impacted the lives of so many people in our media & arts community. Ann was always so talented and humble, truly one of the nicest, most generous and gifted people I will ever have the honor of knowing.  She was a born producer; someone with a genuinely warm heart who guides everyone around her to see the clear picture to create and present something beautiful.  

This news of her passing is unexpected and shattering. I offer my condolences to the Bennett Family and all of Ann's loved ones, she has an incredible legacy.

With one of our interns from Korea. All of our intense adored Ann

Celebrating with  Melissa Haizlip & Lisa Jones and on eve of historic 2008 election of President Obama in Harlem

I first met Ann as a guest speaker, via zoom, in a Kristy Guevara-Flanagan's Documentary Research Method's class in the Fall of 2020 during my MFA program at UCLA. What an amazing speaker? I remember our assigned viewing was: Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People , directed by Thomas Allen Harris and Produced by Ann Bennett.  After that class, Kristy created one-on-one meetings for students to meet with  Ann on how to conduct Archival Research.  Huge loss to the documentary community.  My thoughts and prayers are with Ann's family and loved ones. I'm so sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Indira Somani

L to R: Robert Bennett, Ann Bennett, Mark Bennett, Karyn Bennett, Marceline Donaldson


photo courtesy of Lolita B Parker Jr

Ann was a colleague, mentor and fellow traveler.  I loved her spirit.  Thank you Ann, for your endless generosity and insight.

One of the most painful experiences in life is the loss of a child - even an adult child.  Ann is my daughter and someone who made me very proud of the way she lived her life.  She was surrounded by friends,  co-workers and family - all of whom she treated like family and was always very interested in the lives of her friends.  Her life was one of sharing what she learned, experienced, loved with those around her.   

My life will not be the same without Ann.  Memories of Ann will have to sustain me for whatever time I have left.

I love you Ann  and wish I could have taken some of the pain you suffered throughout the end of your life.  You are now in the arms of God.  My prayers are always with you and about you.

Dad.

I've known Ann for eons - and worked with her over many years. She often led seminars for Third World Newsreel on budgeting and producing for emerging filmmakers and worked on films with me and many others. Always so charismatic and generous, and so so smart!  We hosted her just last February as she spoke about her film Razing Liberty Square at a TWN/Doc Forum Evening Seminar, and she was so up and making plans.  All of us learned so much from Ann and had so much fun with her – and all of us will miss her very much. Our condolences to her family and all of us for this terrible loss.

I mourn with you, I share your sorow from beyong the ocean in Dakar Senegal.
To have been around Ann is  a grace, to have been loved  by her dear Mark and dear Karyn is an eternal gift.

Ann was my roommate in high school, and brought so much joy and laughter to my life.  Warm in person and sharp in observance..  that combination created great, and I mean LOL humerous great  and accurate sarcasm and wit.  Sorry her time was so short and wish I had had more time with her.

Ann was so generous and full of life. Her enthusiasm filled me and she walked me through a budget spreadsheet earlier in my career. Taking the time to help another Black filmmaker, her presence was a joy.

Ann you were a treasure to budding people
of color in the film industry! You will be missed. My heart goes out to your family ❤️🕊️ Kazembe Balagun Third World Newsreel Production Fellow.

Through A Lens Darkly party, SOB’s, 2014

Black Public Media Summit (NBPC), Washington, DC. 2008

In our Through a Lens Darkly offices with interns

Ann at Gordon Parks' birthday celebration.

Such a major loss. Ann was a warm and caring warrior in our ongoing struggle. Always quick and willing to share resources and contacts. Always willing to instruct and advise. Her spirit and generosity will continue to sustain us but this is sad and hurtful News. Condolences to her friends and  family. May she rest peacefully. 

Eric V Tait jr.

Ann was such a dear friend and a producer. She came to teach my Documentary class and left me with a detailed spreadsheet slideshow that I still use.. she was amazing, constantly sharing news about grants and other opportunities to the Documentary community.. I’m so sad to hear this news and I have shared it with her professors at Columbia Journalism School. We all send our condolences and hope to Honor her memory soon. Thank you so much, Ann, for your service, your humor, your compassion, and your work.

Ann, you will be so missed. We love you and find it hard to believe you're gone. Susie & Greg

Still can't believe Ann is no longer with us. She was such a beautiful spirit. I had the pleasure of working with her at ROJA--she was super smart and had a wicked sense of humor. She was also quite the social butterfly and knew everyone who was anyone. She was taken from us much too soon.  Rest in Peace Ann! Love, Sharon

OBITUARY

Ann Elizabeth Bennett

16 March, 1963 – 15 November, 2024

Harmon Funeral Home

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