Réka Pigniczky is a television journalist, producer and independent documentary filmmaker. To date she has created 6 films dealing with the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, immigration, and dual-identity. ‘Journey Home’ (2006) won awards in Hungary and was invited to screen at a number of international film festivals. ‘Inkubátor’ (2009) was voted one of the 25 best films released in Hungary in 2010. ‘Heritage’ (2012) is the prequel to the Memory Project.

While the movie “Journey Home” tells the moving story of her Father’s role in the ’56 Revolution, Réka never interviewed him herself. And when he passed away, that opportunity was lost. Through this project, she hopes to record other people’s stories so that no one else will miss the opportunity to hear these stories in the words of the people who lived them.

Réka has an MA in international affairs and journalism from Columbia University in New York. Her film website is www.56films.hu.

Andrea Lauer Rice is a multimedia producer, author and speaker, who focuses on teaching the next generation through new and innovative ways. On the topic of 1956, her multimedia credits include:

• www.HungarianFreedomFighter.com – website for the 1956 Freedom Fighter Statue in Atlanta, GA;
• “Freedom Fighters of ’56!” – a historically-accurate graphic novel;
• “Hungarian Freedom Fighters” – a downloadable booklet for children;
• “56 Stories – Personal Recollections of the Revolution” – a coffee table book in both Hungarian and English;
• and FF56! – an educational computer game.

Andrea grew up hearing stories about 1956 from her mother, aunt and grandparents. Her challenge is in finding ways to build a bridge between Hungarians and Americans and parents and children. She tries to answer the question of how to best pass on heritage and traditions to the next generation.

Andrea has an MBA from Goizueta Business School at Emory University and a BA in Journalism from Lehigh University. Her website is www.lauerlearning.com.