In the 1980s and 90s, a beloved Berkeley High School teacher required students in her class to write a letter to themselves, marked to be sent any time in the future. For the last 42 years, she has been mailing these letters out to now-adults from their teenage selves and after more than 10,000 letters mailed, she is down to the last three letters. HI, I'M NANCY RUBIN follows the last three letters as they are mailed and delivered, opened and read for the first time. The film is an intimate journey of memory and transformation, as we hear former students discuss candidly what it was like to be a teen growing up in the 1980s and 90s, and how for many of them the experience of Ms. Rubin’s class was completely life changing. Ultimately, the film is a compelling first hand exploration of the lasting effects of social emotional education and a deep look into what is possible when teachers allow young people to have safe, open forums to express themselves.
Jennifer Steinman Sternin is an award-winning Director, Producer and Editor, and the Chapter Leader of the San Francisco Film Fatales. She is currently directing two new documentaries, one featuring legendary Afro-Latina percussionist SHEILA E., and one chronicling the rise to fame of 100- and 105-year-old internet sensations, GRAMMA AND GINGA. Previous feature documentary films include: TIME FOR ILHAN, Producer (Tribeca Film Festival & HotDocs 2018), DESERT RUNNERS, Director, Producer & Editor (IDFA, MVFF 2013), MOTHERLAND, Director, Producer & Editor (SXSW Audience Award Winner, 2009). Jennifer directs, produces and edits television, branded content and commercial work for various clients and is an Emmy-nominated film editor. She is also expanding into directing narrative fiction, and has two shorts and a feature script in development.
