Fresno resident Jerry Payne is the mastermind behind The Hopes and Dreams Project.

“I write movies for children that are critically ill or children who are in crisis and these movies are written short films for them, not to watch, but to actually star in the movie,” says Payne.

Payne is no stranger to the world of entertainment having worked tirelessly to bring smiles to the faces of our military men and women via the Bob Hope USO and his own non-profit, USEF (United States Entertainment Force).

When he learned just how much families were being torn apart by multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Payne came up with the idea of inspiring military kids with the magic of movie making to steer their thoughts in a more positive direction.

“When I did this, and it was for the military dependents,” Payne recalls, “I got inundated with families that were involved with children who are critically ill.”

So, he decided to do a few test films with some of those children to see what, if any impact, it had on their lives, and to his delight the response was astounding.

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Premier night of the very first movie by The Hopes and Dreams Project.

Presenting “Build a Better Fastball – The Movie”, the first movie by The Hopes and Dreams Project.

Starring: Destiny Wagner, Audrey Hall, Matt Otstot
Executive Producer: Jerry Payne
Producer: Christine Autrand Mitchell
Directed by: Christine Autrand Mitchell & Joy Quigley

Newsclip from an interview of Jerry Payne by CBS47 News Team for the Premier Night Showing of “Build a Better Fastball”.

The Hopes and Dreams Project – It’s a chance for critically ill children and kids in crisis to STAR in a movie and have a positive experience. Movie premiering at Sierra Vista in Clovis Wednesday at 6:30pm. Donations accepted to help local children.

Presenting Premier Night of “Build a Better Fastball”…June 1st 6:30pm at Sierra Vista Cinema 16 in Clovis.