In a country where 58% of African American 5th graders are functionally illiterate, The Lottery uncovers the failures of the traditional public school system and reveals that hundreds of thousands of parents attempt to flee the system every year. The Lottery follows four of these families from Harlem and the Bronx who have entered their children in a charter school lottery. Out of thousands of hopefuls, only a small minority will win the chance of a better future.

About the Director

• Madeleine Sackler
• DIRECTOR, PRODUCER and EDITOR

   The Lottery, Madeleine's first documentary, sparked a renewed debate on the future of public education and was short listed for the 2011 Academy Awards. Duke 91 & 92: Back to Back, her second film, was co- produced by Turner Sports and gave viewers an inside look at one of the most storied basketball programs in history. She is the director and producer of Dangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements of Belarus, her third feature documentary, as well as the co-founder of Osmosis Films, a new media company dedicated to producing interactive, longform content. A Duke '05 alum, she also has a degree in biopsychology and has previously worked as a freelance editor for television, commercials, and documentaries.