Winfield filmmaker honored for work with Jesuits

Tom Orland's job often takes him to destinations around the world where the Winfield filmmaker documents the work of his client, the Chicago province of the Society of Jesus.

He's filmed the Jesuit group's missionary efforts in India, Nepal and Peru. Most recently, Orland spent several weeks last year documenting the group's efforts at building a school for the poor in Nairobi, Kenya.

Orland was recently recognized with a gold plaque for his roughly 11-minute film, titled "A School in Nairobi," at the Chicago International Film Festival.

The piece documents the efforts of the Jesuits to open the school in one of the poorest slums in the African country.

The Chicago province bought a tract of land and hired Orland in 2006 to produce a piece that would aid in their efforts to raise $1 million for the new school.

"The priests up to that point were using PowerPoint presentations to tell their story," Orland said. "People were moved by actually seeing the images."

Jeff Smart, a spokesman for the Chicago Jesuit province, said Orland's film helped in spotlighting their mission and was key in the group's fundraising efforts.

"The film gives a graphic view of the conditions in that part of the world," he said. "It was hugely successful in that it clearly shows the need."

The Jesuits will expect to begin construction sometime next year. The school will serve 420 students when it is fully operational, Smart said.

Orland's next project will take him to Nepal and India later this month (November), where he will document the Jesuits' charity efforts in the two countries.

"I've always wanted to be the writer-producer for the underdogs," Orland said. "I like the idea of being able to make some sort of positive affect on getting this sort of work done."