Filmmaker Yi Chen has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund her latest project "Chinatown," a half-hour vérité style documentary profiling the oldest ethnic community in Washington, D.C.
“It’s been ten days since our launch on Kickstarter and we’re very grateful for the pledges and support from the community. The confidence people have shown in the project strengthens our belief in the need to tell the story,” stated Chen in a press release.
Entitled “Chinatown: A Documentary Film in Post-Production” on Kickstarter, the project has over 80 backers and already raised nearly $4000 towards its goal of $6000.
“Our backers found out about us through friends, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, Google, and Kickstarter" said Chen. "Our video has over 500 hits and pledges range from $5 to $500. The first week we made it to the top of Kickstarter’s staff picks for projects in Washington, D.C.”
According to Chen, the funds raised on Kickstarter will be spent on post-production costs of finishing editing, motion graphics, color correction, sound mix and music scoring.
As incentives for supporters donations, a pledge of $25 will be rewarded with a digital version of the film. Other rewards include DVD copies, postcards, buttons, T-shirts, and tickets to screenings.
Selected by the sixth annual Our City Film Festival, "Chinatown" will be screened on March 10, 2013 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.
“We’re thrilled and working very hard to finish the film. Kickstarter is all-or-nothing so we really need to reach our goal by Feb. 15," said Chen. "We spent a year documenting the intimate moments in the lives of the three characters. The film explores the intricate cultural and social issues facing the community today.”
According to the filmmakers, today around 400 Chinese immigrants remain in the neighborhood. The last full-service Chinese grocery store closed in 2005. Chinatown residents currently have to take a chartered tour bus once a month to the Great Wall Supermarket in Falls Church.
Chen stated that she is working with top-notch talents to bring the untold story to audiences through festivals, public television, museums, community and university screenings.
For additional info, visit:
Facebook: First documentary to look at contemporary D.C. Chinatown launches on Kickstarter. Watch the trailer and make a pledge on http://kck.st/13uMuFe.
Twitter: Make a pledge to support indie doc about last residents in DC Chinatown http://kck.st/13uMuFe #Chinatown #DC #Kickstarter
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