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

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!