QUYURRVIK
PRONOUNCED KWEE-YOOR-VIK
"THE PLACE WHERE WE GATHER"
ABOUT THE FILM
When a village loses its gathering place, everything begins to unravel.
Now, a community stands at a crossroads. Rebuild, or risk losing it forever.
WATCH THE TRAILER
ONE VILLAGE. ONE GATHERING PLACE.ONE FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE.
WAYS TO HELP
Support the Film
Help us complete the documentary
Support the Community Center
Help rebuild a safe place for youth
Partner With Us
For brands, foundations, and collaborators
FILMmAKERS
Director / Producer
Youth Advocate | Founder, Push Forward
Preston Pollard
He is the visionary behind Quyurrvik, turning a trip to support youth in Kwethluk into a mission guided by local elders to help rebuild their community center.
Executive Producer, Emmy Award-Winning Filmmaker
Sam Pollard
He is known for Award-winning filmmaking, acclaimed documentaries on social, cultural, and historical stories.
Dr. Jean Pollard
First financial partner of the project. Honorary doctorate recipient, retired educator, and historian whose work recognized African American soldiers who built the Alaska Highway.
Project Milestones
Momentum & Support
Support from U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan
$53K+ in personal investment
400+ hours of in-kind professional services
$65K+ in community engagement support (Rural CAP, SALT)
City of Kwethluk Resolution of Support
Community-led vision shaped through listening sessions
USC cultural exchange partnership
THE COMMUNITY
Pauline Morris
Respected Kwethluk elder who preserves Yup’ik traditions and offers guidance to ensure the project honors the community’s voice.
Dwayne Maxie
Kwethluk native and Youth Council member advocating for a community center to support youth connection and growth.
Matthew Peterson
Kwethluk community member and Tribal Council leader working to strengthen the community and support youth through positive change.
Danielle Epchook
Kwethluk community member supporting a safe, connected space for all through the community center.
Where WE ARE now
Production Status
Footage Captured
7 days of immersive filming in Kwethluk
Dozens of hours of footage
Interviews with families, leaders, and youth
Landscape and seasonal visuals
Early development of four youth stories
What Remains
Multi-year follow-up with four youth
Key turning points in their journeys
Community & youth center rebuild
Ceremonies, gatherings, and cultural teachings
Final interviews and resolution
Timeline
1–3 year character-driven documentary
Budget
$300K–$500K (filming, travel, crew, post-production)
Seeking
Co-production partner
Financing
Distribution
THE Team
Rural Cap
Joie Millett
Supports fiscal sponsorship planning, funding strategy, and community alignment for the project.
Rural Cap
Jenny Murphy
Assists with program development, project coordination, and ensuring the center's services meet community needs.
Tasha Hotch
Brings expertise in government and tribal policy, supporting strong community alignment, partnership development, and effective project implementation.
Rural Cap
Michael Fredericks
Supports the project through design strategy, community engagement, and guidance on fundraising and development.
President of Salt
Megan Lierman
Supports the project through design insight, grant writing expertise, and strategic guidance for securing funding.
Salt
Dr. Zoë B. Corwin
USC research professor studying college access and youth development through community and skateboarding.
Chad Stovall
Former HUD Alaska Field Office Director overseeing $700M+ in housing and infrastructure, now guiding development strategy and funding for the Kwethluk project.
What’s being built
A $10M foundational project supporting:
Youth mentorship & after-school programs
Community garden
Vocational trades training
Emergency shelter space
VPSO / Tribal Police offices
Cultural gathering & language preservation
Elder–youth intergenerational spaces
A hub for safety, culture, and opportunity.