Oregon ranks dead last in the nation for addiction treatment access. Most Oregonians aren't aware of that fact. Our next documentary, 50th sets out to understand why, and how that ranking has impacted our Oregon communities.

This summer, we're embarking on the first leg of an investigative journey that will take us from Portland to Grants Pass, documenting how Oregon's last place ranking plays out differently from urban neighborhoods to rural communities with almost no resources at all. We're starting in Grants Pass, deep in one of Oregon's most underserved treatment deserts, to document what the gap between policy and reality actually looks like. Since the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling cleared the way for cities to criminalize homelessness, the pressure on people seeking treatment has intensified in ways that aren't making headlines.

But we're not just investigating the failures. We're looking for the people navigating them: the outreach workers, peer counselors, and people in recovery who have found creative ways to deal with the crisis. We're seeking out people who have found hope in the face of adversity.

Like our award-winning debut film Helpers, 50th will be narrated by Common Lens Films founder Kelly Clendenon, guided by his own lived experience in addiction and recovery. That personal perspective is what separates this film from a typical news story. It's journalism with skin in the game.

Your contributions will go directly towards our lodging, travel expenses, crew wages, and production equipment for our initial shoot in Southern Oregon this summer. We're self-funding this first phase while our grant applications are in review, and every dollar gets us closer to the cameras rolling.

Common Lens Films is fiscally sponsored by the Charitable Partnership Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All contributions are tax-deductible and receipts are available upon request.

Seed money to begin filming our next doc, 50th