Crowdfund Roundup #2: Four incredible projects by women filmmakers

by Katie Carman-Lehach

Once again, Her Film Project sought out a few exceptional projects by women filmmakers around the world who are currently raising funds through crowdfunding, as part of our Crowdfund Roundup. Take a moment to learn about these projects and their creators and I'm sure you'll agree they’re all worthy of your support!

SEVEN WOMEN, SEVEN SINS – The Women's Film Preservation Fund (WFPF)

*Eight days left on this crowdfunding campaign*

The 1986 film "Seven Women, Seven Sins" was by all accounts a remarkable achievement -- at a time when women were even more underrepresented in the industry than today, seven female filmmakers: Helke Sander (Gluttony), Bette Gordon (Greed), Maxi Cohen (Anger), Chantal Akerman (Sloth), Valie Export (Lust), Laurence Gavron (Envy), and Ulrike Ottinger (Pride), each chose a sin to depict in their own way and set about to make a film together.

The final film reflected the strong diversity amongst the women and their interpretations of each sin, which included traditional narrative fiction, experimental video, a musical, a radical documentary (all shot on multiple formats, from 16mm to super 16, video and 35mm).

After premiering at a few festivals and airing shortly on television, the film was put out to pasture in a vault somewhere, only to be recently rediscovered, now in desperate need of preservation -- but film preservation ain't cheap! From the Indiegogo.com campaign:

"$43,000 is needed to preserve this important work. We have raised $25,000 in cash and in-kind services. We hope to raise $17,000 through this campaign.”

Your donation will directly help preserve a very important piece of filmmaking history!

Visit this film's Indiegogo page now.


THE REAL MIKADO – Joyce Wu

*One day left on this crowdfunding campaign*

Not to forget our feature narrative filmmakers, here is the fantastic sounding “The Real Mikado”, a feature film being produced by filmmaker Joyce Wu with an aim to “address the dearth of films with Asian American characters and strong female protagonists by featuring both in a fun, satisfying, relatable story.”

And relatable it is – facing grim job prospects in a flailing economy, the young protagonist (played by Woo herself) is forced to move home and rediscover her true passions by way of producing a stage production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado”.

If Joyce’s video interview & trailer are any indication, it should be a funny, smart and enjoyable movie (and one that supports a minority we need to see a lot more of!)

Visit this film's Seed and Spark page now.

LADY BE GOOD - Kay D. Ray

*11 days left on this crowdfunding campaign*

Women have been struggling for years for equality not just in filmmaking, but in many other areas of the arts. “Lady Be Good” tells the story of a few great women who struggled despite sexual and racial tensions to become legendary jazz instrumentalists of their day.

Using rare archival footage, photos and interviews, the film seeks to create a full understanding of this extremely important chapter in America’s musical history by introducing us to these heroic and talented women.

The film is currently in post-production but seeking funds to continue editing the film for broadcast, as well as securing musical rights. Check out their Kickstarter page to learn more:

Visit this film's Kickstarter page now.


AFGHAN CYCLES – Sarah Menzies

*Four days left on this crowdfunding campaign.* (Since writing this article, the film has surpassed its goal!)

"Afghan Cycles" by Sarah Menzies is an unbelievable true story about 12 Afghani women who dare to bike on the Women’s National Cycling Team of Afghanistan, and the trials and tribulations they endure to do so, breaking one the last greatest taboos for women in Afghanistan.

This film has yet to go into production, so as a backer you will be directly responsible for the creation of this film, including equipment rental, travel to and from Afghanistan for the filmmakers and all arrangements on the ground in Afghanistan once they arrive.

Get in on the ground floor and become a supporter of this wonderful project!

Visit this film's Kickstarter page now.


THE SHATTERED MIND – Jade Bryan – Successful!!

Following the credo to “write what you know” filmmaker Jade Bryan is embarking on production of her next short film, “The Shattered Mind” about her experiences growing up deaf, all thanks to the support she received through her successful crowd funding campaign!

“The Shattered Mind, based in New York, is a psychodrama/ surreal story about a hard-of-hearing teenager who juggles with family, peers and culture conflicts, while in search of her own sexual and identity freedom, and self-realization. “

Though the film was successful, Jade and her team are still accepting contributions, and will continue to do so through post-production, so there are many ways you can still help this film.
 
Visit their GoFundMe page here to learn more.