In 2009, filmmaker Dave Manzo sets out to chronicle the search for a forgotten small-town time capsule. But what started out as a simple afternoon dig evolves into a decade and half long journey.

Over the years, Dave finds himself increasingly encapsulated by the history and people of this once great American boomtown. Finding answers to what happened in the past helps him discover clues as to where to dig.

In 2009, Filmmaker Dave Manzo was visiting his wife’s family in Allentown, New York, when he came across locals searching the grounds of the town’s abandoned school for a time capsule buried in 1950. He grabs a camera, and begins documenting the search. When nothing turns up, Dave decides to dive into the history of this capsule on his own, and he soon finds himself leading the town on the hunt for the lost time capsule.

But every person in town has a different idea of where the capsule is buried, leading Dave on a wild goose chase. Every time Dave finds himself against a wall, with no more clues, someone comes out with a new nugget of information. Is the capsule buried here, or over there?

What was supposed to be a small dig, soon becomes years of research, interviews, and excavations. As the story unfolds, Dave slowly unlocks the mysteries of not only the capsule, but the town, the people, and even the abandoned school. Each person Dave meets provides another unique clue or insight into the history and culture of this once great American boomtown.

And over the course of almost 15 years, the people of Allentown, New York rally behind Dave and his mission. They begin to find a new pride and ownership of this once forgotten town. As the years go by; they slowly restore, rebuild, and reinvent what it means to be a citizen of Allentown. With some people passing, and others being born; Dave finds himself not only documenting this town’s journey into its past, but also the shaping of its future. Finding Time is not just a film about the search for a lost time capsule; it’s the creation of a new one.

Nestled deep in southwestern New York state is the small community of Allentown. Once an impressive oil boom town, Allentown now sits somewhat sad and forgotten. Few remaining houses sit scattered among the rolling forested hills.

After the discovery of oil in the 1880’s, Allentown rapidly became a hub of industry and production. With over 1,500 people living in the town, the streets were crowded with men and horses at all hours of the day and night. In its prime, the town was filled with a considerable number of businesses including blacksmiths, saloons, barbershops, restaurants, stables, as well as oil well supply & nitroglycerine dealers. But as time went on, the oil became harder and more expensive to get, and by the 1960’s the companies had moved on.

Now with only around 200 people in the town, the only evidence of its thriving past are overgrown oil rigs and abandoned buildings buried and rusting away. The largest of which being the town’s old school. Once the highlight of the community, the building sits neglected, frozen in time.

SARAH C. BUTTS-MANZO Producer

After growing up in Allentown, New York, Sarah attended Eastern College for musical composition where she met her husband, Dave Manzo. Sarah got her Masters at NYU Tisch School for the Arts for musical theater writing/composing. She co-founded the Non-profit theater company Yes And Collaborative Arts and has composed over 8 family shows with them since 2005. She is currently a full time mom and homeschool teacher.

Finding Time explores a range of genres and themes, including Mystery/Treasure, Historical, Human Interest, & Americana. This gives the film a unique opportunity to connect with a wider audience, and increase potential revenue.

For distribution, the production is pursuing options in television, streaming services, and/or a theatrical run. Currently, the production is in discussion with multiple interested sales agents and distributors with connections to streaming services including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon; Television channels including including History Channel, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, & HBO; As well as film festivals including Sundance, Tribeca, & Cannes.