By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
SYRACUSE — A documentary that premiered in Syracuse and has a connection to Baldwinsville narrowly missed out on an Oscar nomination this year.
“Chicago: America’s Hidden War,” which is about gun violence in Chicago, was among 238 films on the eligibility list for the Documentary Feature category for the 93rd Academy Awards. The documentary was first screened Dec. 15 at the Greater Syracuse Soundstage. While “Chicago” didn’t quite make the shortlist, Upstate New Yorkers can still celebrate the region’s ties to the film.
Ted Farnsworth, co-founder of the documentary’s producer and promoter Zash Global Media and Entertainment Corporation, grew up in Little Falls and now has a home in Baldwinsville. Farnsworth recently chatted with the Messenger about “Chicago’s” Oscars eligibility and the role of the Greater Syracuse Soundstage in Zash’s future.
“This was the strongest competition for documentaries this year,” Farnsworth said. “Just the fact that you’re even in that category where you’re even being considered … it’s a huge honor.”
As a producer and financier for the film industry, Farnsworth’s film projects have featured silver screen luminaries such as Al Pacino, Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta and Bruce Willis. He was an executive producer for the 2018 Swedish fantasy thriller “Border,” which was nominated for an Oscar in Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Zash Global Media and Entertainment Corporation has offices in Miami and Syracuse. The multifaceted company helps boost influencers’ content across the world and partners with other media companies to produce movies, reality TV and short-form content.
“I’ve got 16 movies on the slate this year,” Farnsworth said. “We’re rockin’ and rollin’. We’re definitely moving — no grass under our feet.”
Much of the editing for Zash-related projects will take place at the Greater Syracuse Soundstage. Farnsworth said this work will generate 150-plus part-time and full-time jobs in Syracuse.
New York State’s tax credits for filmmakers, lower costs and a variety of filming locales made CNY an attractive place for Zash to put down roots.
“Onondaga County has been unbelievably supportive from Ryan McMahon on down to the film commissioner Eric Vinal,” Farnsworth said. “It really does add to the economy in its own little way. Really becoming a hub on the east coast would be great.”
Farnsworth purchased a home in Baldwinsville to be near the Greater Syracuse Soundstage. He also has family in the area.
“I like B’ville. It’s adorable — it reminds me of Little Falls,” Farnsworth said.
For more information about Zash Global Media and Entertainment Corporation, visit zash.global. To learn more about “Chicago: America’s Hidden War,” visit chicagoshiddenwar.com.
