MIDDLEPORT, Ohio – The 2021 Breakathon is just around the corner, and this year’s event will feature a short film written and produced by the Bitanga Martial Arts Center in Middleport, Ohio – purchasing the film, which was shot in Meigs County, Ohio will also benefit from this year’s fundraiser.

Breakathon is a charity formed in 2016 by the Bitanga Martial Arts Center. To date, $ 127,916 has been raised for local organizations and causes, including the Blakeslee Center, Save the Music and Square One Domestic Violence Center.

The film “Mommy’s Friends” was written and produced by Ben Nease, of Bitanga, who directed the project and wrote the screenplay for the film. Nease said he hopes the film will raise even more money for the event and be a source of inspiration as well.

“My overall goal in writing and directing the film was to inspire those around the world who don’t believe in anything to understand that there are no coincidences in our lives and that there are always reasons. to hope. “

Nease said writing a story to fit a short film format was difficult, and the film took over a year to make, aiming to complete it in time for the Breakathon premiere.

“The budget was only $ 700 and my team could only work on Sunday afternoons, so it took us a year to complete,” Nease explained.

Choosing the subject of the film, Nease said, “We needed something that could justify an element of action, and also something that would be fun to watch around Halloween.”

He cautioned that the film is aimed at audiences over the age of 12 as there are elements that may not be suitable for younger audiences.

This year, with the theme “From the Heart”, proceeds from the Breakathon will be used to support the establishment of a program to provide young athletes with free heart tests, as well as education on undetected heart disease.

“This year, our goal is to raise the necessary funds to offer free cardiac screenings to young athletes in the region each year,” explained Nease. “Statistics suggest that one in 300 young people suffer from undetected heart disease which can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.”

Nease said that numbers like these make it easy to understand why we have all been linked in one way or another to such sudden tragedies in our local communities, and how best to prevent it from happening. occur is to identify the disease.

The Blakeslee Center will host this year’s Breakathon on November 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will include traditional board breaking and karate demonstrations, a craft show, food and the “Mommy’s Friends” screening. Entrance to the Breakathon and the Craft Fair is free.

To view a promotional video for the 2021 Breakathon, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDsrji0b3e8.

The “Mom’s Friends” movie trailer is available on the Breakathon website, and the purchase of the movie will support their goal of providing free heart tests and raising awareness about the disease.

To donate to ‘From the Heart’, to sponsor one of the young competitors, and for commercial and individual sponsorship, visit https://thebreakathon.com/ or call 740-992-5715.

© 2021 Ohio Valley Publishing, all rights reserved.

The film “Mommy’s Friends” was written and produced by Bitanga with his own Ben Nease who directed the project and wrote the screenplay for the film. Nease said he hopes the film will raise even more money for the event and be a source of inspiration as well. There are options to view the trailer and stream the film through the Breakathon website. Pictured is part of the official movie poster. The film was produced and shot in Meigs County, Ohio.

In the photo, Bitanga instructor Cindy Bowling cheering on student Garrett Blackwood. Proceeds from this year’s Breakathon will be used to support the establishment of a program to provide young athletes with free heart tests, as well as education on undetected heart disease.

Participants in the third annual Breakathon in 2019, took turns breaking the board for the benefit of the local school’s music programs. In the photo, Ben Nease supports a student. The Blakeslee Center will host this year’s Breakathon on November 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will include traditional board breaking and karate demonstrations, a craft show, food and the “Mommy’s Friends” screening. Entrance to the Breakathon and the Craft Fair is free.

Bitanga owner and Breakathon organizer Ben Nease is pictured during the filming of “Mommy’s Friends”.

Short film for the benefit of an upcoming fundraiser

Lorna Hart is a freelance writer for Ohio Valley Publishing.