Good Pitch Film Crowdfunding for Top Up

One of the social impact documentaries supported by the successful philanthropic Good Pitch event has begun a crowdfunding campaign to make up a shortfall to cover filming and post production costs.

Documentary Zach's Ceremony which looks at issues of indigenous youth, has begun a crowdfunding Pozible campaign to raise the final $30,000 to complete the film.

Australian philanthropists, corporate foundations and Not for Profits delivered more than $2 million to help fund seven social impact documentaries at the first Good Pitch Australia event in Sydney last week.

Zach’s Ceremony, directed by Aaron Petersen and producer Sarah Linton, follows a city-raised boy and his quest to reconnect with his Indigenous roots as he goes through the ancient rite of initiation.

The producers says the film explores a father and son’s tense and often combative relationship brings into sharp relief the clash of two worlds and the struggle modern-day Australians face connecting with the oldest living culture in the world.

Producer Sarah Linton says the film needs the extra financial support to complete the final time-sensitive filming and post-production.

The Good Pitch event raised more than $300,000 for the documentary with the majority of money going towards the extensive outreach program with educators including a national training program through the support of a number of Not for Profit organisations.

“We are developing an outreach strategy for ‘Zach’s Ceremony’ to promote positive social change. Our coming-of-age film touches on many issues including racism, bullying, drug & alcohol abuse and the alarming Indigenous suicide rates.

“The documentary will highlight some of these risks, particularly faced by young Indigenous men like Zach. Our plan is for the film to be used within the Australian education system and far beyond,” Linton said.

The crowdfunding campaign ends on Friday 17th October.

The emotionally-charged Good Pitch event is said to have changed the way philanthropy and filmmakers drive social change in Australia.

The eight-hour inaugural pitching event saw seven filmmaking teams present their documentaries to an audience of three hundred participants including philanthropic foundations, and Not for Profits as well as private philanthropists, corporate foundations, policy makers, and broadcasters.

Good Pitch Australia is an initiative of Shark Island Institute and Documentary Australia Foundation. Pro Bono Australia and Philanthropy Australia, are Community Partners for the initiative.

This is the first year Good Pitch, the international documentary forum devised by BRITDOC and Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, has been brought to Australia.

The seven feature-length documentary projects chosen to present at the Sydney Opera House were:

Call Me Dad / Director: Sophie Wiesner, Producer: Madeleine Hetherton

A story about men who have perpetrated or are at risk of perpetrating family violence. At stake is the safety of children and partners, the stability of families, and the power we as a society have to intervene. These men have problems expressing anger, and other strong emotions, without resorting to abuse, verbal or physical. We follow these men as they attempt to change and heal their most precious relationships.

Frackman / Director: Richard Todd, Producers: Simon Nasht and Trish Lake

Reluctant activist Dayne ‘The Frackman’ Pratzky, takes us on a journey through the bush as we meet a bunch of ordinary people caught up in a modern day multinational gold rush – the race to secure and exploit coal seam gas. From conservative landowners, to radical activists and town-dwelling families, this unlikely coalition of Australians has come together to protect the health of their communities, land and future.

Gayby Baby / Director: Charlotte Mars, Producer: Maya Newell

At a time when Australia is divided on the issue of same-sex marriage, four children with gay and lesbian parents share their stories.  While they each have a unique issue, the kids nonetheless all face the dramas of oncoming puberty and stepping out for the first time into a world that places intense scrutiny on families like theirs.

The Opposition / Director: Hollie Fifer, Producer: Rebecca Barry

In a David-and-Goliath battle over land in Papua New Guinea, Joe Moses, leader of the Paga Hill Settlement, must save his 3,000 people before they are evicted to an industrial waste site. Battling it out in the courts – Joe may find his community replaced with an international five star hotel and marina developed by an Australian run company.

That Sugar Film / Director: Damon Gameau, Producer Nick Batzias

It's the most dominant food in the world but how has sugar infiltrated our diet and culture and what is it doing to us?  One man's journey through academia, irreverence, experiment, celebrity, science and vibrant entertainment, That Sugar Film is a saccharine ride exploring the true nature of sugar…and how to start a new life without it.

Constance on the Edge/ Director Belinda Mason, Producer Marguerite Grey

Walk in the shoes of a Sudanese refugee as she attempts to transform her rural town into a friendlier place. Constance on the Edge tells the story of brave, feisty, charismatic Constance, and her family and friends, attempting to transcend their painful pasts.

To view a short presentation on Good Pitch² Australia  click here.

See the documentary trailers here.