Christian Science Monitor feature + Women@Google Speech

Christian Science Monitor recently wrote a feature about filmmakers successfully leveraging their online / social network fans to help with fundraising, and Tapestries was featured in this story. An excerpt:

Filmmaker Michealene Cristini Risley has connected with activists concerned about sexual abuse by blogging about her experiences, which include being arrested and detained in Africa for filming without a journalist’s permit. “[The documentary] goes after that niche audience that is aware of the issue, that is somewhat socially conscious,” says Anand Chandrasekaran, one of the film’s producers.

The film is well into post production and preparing to be completed in the Fall. Also, director Michealene Risley was invited to the Women@Google series, which has featured Sen.Hillary Clinton among others in the past. Below is the video from the talk:

Blog love for Tapestries

Tapestries is in post-production (a HUGE shout-out to Kent and the amazing team at Fat Box, and our editors Robin Chin and Vanessa Perez!)... feels like the beginning of the home stretch. From the first meeting with Betty Makoni in April 2007 and beginning of pre-production in Summer '07 to now feels like a long journey. Now the wait begins...

The ability to tell such a powerful and important story... we're excited, to say the least!

The blogosphere is excited too this week. Following is a snapshot of the collective bear hug the project and its director received:

- Amy Jussel's Shaping Youth blog... an excerpt:

Obviously, it’s a touchy subject to awaken the world to the story of two child abuse survivors fighting to expose these horrors, but Michealene has managed to ‘pay it forward’ with profound positivity by giving people the tools to engage at IndieGoGo, a cool social media film fundraising site for supporters like me to make a difference.

- Mamalicious blog... an excerpt:

I’m so lame. Tapestries of Hope has been on my to-blog list for a minute, but I hadn’t gotten around to it because it deserves much more than a rush job, and that’s where I am these days. But Amy Jussel at ShapingYouth has done the damn thing–and done it right.

- Ideas for international development blog (blog in French).

On another positive note, Tapestries is the first movie to repeat online fundraising success on the new site IndieGoGo! Check out the project's page and get involved today. You can choose the movies that get made.

Thanks a ton for all the support. Stay tuned for more updates.

We love you too!

"Tapestries of Hope" DONATION RAFFLE!

Dear Tapestries of Hope Supporters!

“Tapestries of Hope” has teamed up with IndieGoGo to raise significant funds for the making of this important film.

We have some GREAT prizes in addition to VIP Perks if you donate by MAY 1 on INDIEGOGO.COM (www.indiegogo.com/tapestriesof hope)

For all donations of $100.00 or more, you will be eligible to receive one of the five following prizes:
- 1 three-month membership (there are 3 of these available) to Women’s Independent Cinema (www.wicinema.com)
- A brand new Play Station 2
- An assortment of Chocolates from Seattle Chocolate Company

For all donations of $500.00 or more, we will enter those names into an additional SPECIAL RAFFLE. The lucky winner will win a private screening for your friends and family with the director Michealene Risley, who will travel to your home with a DVD of the completed film in hand. There will be a Q and A session afterwards.

**The raffle drawings will take place once we've completed this round of funding. Anonymous donors will not be included in the raffle.

This is also a reminder that you can receive a tax deduction on your donation. However, you MUST let us know if you would like to receive this after you donate.

Please go to www.indiegogo.com/tapestriesofhope to donate and help us reach our goals.

Even if it’s 5 dollars, it will help tremendously. Please take the time.

Please forward this message to all friends, family, and co-workers who might also like to help.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

The “Tapestries of Hope” Team

United Nations Speech

As most of you know, Tapestries director Michealene Risley was invited to speak and moderate a panel at the United Nations on "The Role and Responsibility of Men in Preventing Violence Against Women" last week. The panel went great and here is an excerpt from a message sent by Michealene to friends and supporters of the project:

I wanted to let you know how "incredible" the event at the United Nations was on Monday. The Secretary General of the United Nations has launched a global campaign to end violence against women and girls. It was inspiring to say the least...and hopeful.

Secondly, there is a chance that the landscape of rape and abuse in Zimbabwe can be changed. The current political situation in Zimbabwe right now, is at a critical juncture. For those of you interested, there is HOPE that the dictator, President Mugabe will be voted out, and Simba Makoni will be the new President. If fair and free elections will be held this can be possible.

The shift will begin to change the standard of living, and availability of food to all Zimbabweans. A change in leadership with also dramatically alter the level of violence against all human beings in this country. Anyone who is interested in helping spread the word, contact me directly. There are a number of ways to get involved.

Below is another picture from the event:

Tapestries of Hope's Director Invited to Speak at United Nations

The following is the United Nations invitation Tapestries of Hope's Director Michealene Cristini Risley received recently:



Permanent Missions, NGOs and headquarters staff are cordially invited to attend an interactive panel on

The Role and Responsibility of Men in Preventing Violence Against Women

Monday, 25 February 1.15 pm
Conference Room 2, UN Secretariat Building

Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of men who are working hard to end all forms of violence against women throughout the world. To accelerate this momentum and create a critical mass, the United Nations Secretary-General will, as part of his multi-year campaign to end violence against women, enlist the support of men leaders in mobilizing men and boys for action.

Please join us in a dialogue with a survivor of violence, a government official and three men activists on the intrinsic contribution and responsibility of men in preventing violence against women in an inter-active panel.

Moderator:
Michealene Risley, women's advocate, author and award-winning documentarian

Panelists:
Marie Delva, a "face of courage"/survivor of violence who turned adversity into opportunity to help herself and other survivors in Haiti

Todd Minerson, Executive Director, White Ribbon Campaign - the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women

Captain Aimable Mushabe, a Rwandan military officer implementing measures to protect women against violence

Prateek Suman Awasthi, a young leader actively working with Indian youth and women to end violence against women

Kevin Powell, writer, author of seven books, including The Confessions of a Recovering Misogynist,and political activist involved in pro-feminist and anti-sexist work

---

For further information, please contact:
Patricia Cortes, Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), Tel.: 1 917 367 3197, Email: cortesp@un.org

#1 on YouTube

2007 was not an easy year - as a lot of supporters know - for the project. After a challenging pre-production schedule during which many who understood the subject matter and/or the geo-political dynamics in Zimbabwe recommended against doing the project - the crew ran into some 'difficulties' in Zimbabwe during production. As a result, all blogs written during the shoot had to be temporarily removed out of concern for safety of director Michealene C Risley & the crew!

We've come a long way since then and are very excited about where the project is headed in the next several weeks and months. Here is a re-cap at some of the key recent milestones:

- Huffington Post carried a series of blogs written by Michealene Risley describing the incidents during the shoot.

- The Tapestries trailer (recently updated for better readability) is featured as the #1 video under "Film and Animation" Category on YouTube. Stay tuned for more teasers!

- IndieGoGo, a new community site which connects filmmakers with their fan bases and supporters and launching at an exclusive Sundance 2008 event and party, will feature Tapestries as a launch partner. Other filmmakers signed up include Steven Starr (For Love or Water, 2008 Sundance selection), M dot Stange (We are the Strange, 2007 Sundance selection), and Chris Roberts (The Believer, 2003 Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winner).

- This blog recently won the New Communications Review’s ‘Award of Excellence’ due to the live blogs Michealene posted while in production in Zimbabwe.

- Our Facebook Group “Silent Bravery: Women of Africa” has close to 1,000 members and our continued collaborations include Stanford University to make headway on the social initiative leading up to the film's release.

- Keplers' bookstore in Menlo Park and La Belle Day Spa in Palo Alto are carrying a line of silver jewelry (also available online at http://savehope.blogspot.com) that designer Janelle Gibson co-launched with Freshwater Haven (the non-profit side of Fresh Water Spigot) to support the project.

We look forward to your continued support!

Cinematical covers TAPESTRIES Trailer launch

Cinematical, the top blog covering independent film, makes a mention of the recent Tapestries trailer launch on YouTube. From the post by Kim Voynar:

While it's always fun to enjoy a big, effects-laden blockbuster or the latest rom-com at the theater, it's little films like this, driven by the filmmaker's passion for the project, that really speak to the dedication it takes to make a doc. like this.

Stay tuned for news and updates throughout the year! Contact us to get involved!

Other blog mentions about Tapestries trailer launch:

- George Karahalios' blog
- Srihari's blog
- TED Fellow Ethan Zuckerman's blog (I left my heart in Accra)
- AfricanLoft feature article

TAPESTRIES' teaser trailer out in time for the holidays

The exclusive TAPESTRIES OF HOPE teaser trailer is now live! Check it out and spread the word...

Expose the myth. End Abuse. Donate.

Thanks a lot for your support, and happy holidays!

Update 1: The trailer subtitle text has been updated and the new embedded video is the updated trailer. Enjoy!

Update 2: Tapestries trailer honored on YouTube as one of the top videos to watch on Mobile!

Women's Radio News... radio interview!

Check out the Women's Radio News radio interview conducted by Pat Lynch (editor of 'Speak Up') with Michealene C. Risley!

Topics include distributing Flashcards to the members of the Girl Child Network, arrest of the crew in Zimbabwe, help from a volunteer who knew of the crew through Facebook, the current situation in Africa and the efforts to tell the story of TAPESTRIES OF HOPE.

Invited blog on Huffington Post - personal recounting of events during shoot in Africa!

This is the first time that I have used my pen to write an original thought since my arrest. I will never take for granted the power of free-thinking or the ability to speak of my experience without fear of repercussions, torture or death. I type these words with a great deal of reverence, responsibility and respect. I borrow from Edward Bulwer-Lytton:

Beneath the rule of men entirely great,
The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! -- itself a nothing!
But taking sorcery from the master-hand
To paralyse the Cæsars, and to strike
The loud earth breathless! -- Take away the sword
States can be saved without it!

Read the entire piece on The Huffington Post. If you are interested in donating, you may do so directly off the blog.