Genre
Synopsis
Over her 89 years, Liz Carpenter was often front and center where history was unfolding, leaving her own indelible mark on some of the most vivid moments and movements that shaped the twentieth century. Journalist, vice-presidential advisor, White House official, author, humorist, political activist, and feminist leader—hers is the story of blazing professional trails while pushing forward an agenda for women’s rights, political engagement, and the environment that remains highly relevant today. SHAKING IT UP: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LIZ CARPENTER tells Liz’s story using archival film and still images, interviews from those who knew her, journalists who covered the history as it was made, and scholars who study this remarkable past.
Bio
Abby Ginzberg, a Peabody award-winning director, member of the Documentary Branch of AMPAS and EMMY® Silver Circle inductee has been producing compelling documentaries about race and social justice for over 35 years.
Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold is Abby’s latest film which delves in to the remarkable life of Henrietta Szold, was a key figure in establishing healthcare in Palestine as well the administrator of Youth Aliyah which saved the lives of over 10,000 German Jewish youth. It premiered at the 2025 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary.
She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley profiles Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA). it won the 2025 award for Best Short Documentary at the Harlem International Film Festival.
Her film, Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power, won the 2022 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Documentary and is available on Amazon Prime. Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter (co-directed with Christy Carpenter) premiered at SXSW in March, 2024.
Her short film, Judging Juries, (2024) has won 4 short film awards and was chosen as a 2025 Honoree by the Webby Awards.
Abby directed and produced Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa, which won a Peabody award and 4 best documentary awards.
Abby was the Consulting Producer on The Barber of Birmingham, which premiered at Sundance in 2011 and was nominated for an Oscar® in the Short Doc category in 2012.
Screening History
World Premiere - SXSW Documentary Spotlight 2024
Dallas International Film Festival 2024
DocLands Film Festival 2024
LBJ Library 2024
DC/DOX 2024
Credits
Cast - Dan Rather
Cast - Luci Baines Johnson
Cast - Lynda Johnson Robb
