About this project
WOOHOO!!! We're fully funded!! THANK YOU for All Your Help!!! Now we can Finish + Release the Film! (All rewards are still available for pre-order for 1 more day)
Thanks to you we will now make the final edit, produce DVDs, postcards, stickers, t-shirts, skateboards, submit to film festivals and share this project with youth across the U.S. and beyond!
PUSH Tunisia is a skateboard 'artivism' project which features a multi-national group of skateboarders, street artists, and volunteers on a trip to Tunisia, eleven months after the revolution. It resulted in this film that taps into the energy of the Tunisian youth featuring local skaters, musicians, street dancers and graffiti artists who welcomed the crew and collaborated on PUSH Tunisia. The film is directed by Nathan Gray, filmed and edited by Evan Collisson, and produced by Todd Nims / theBedouins / Rise Up International
The Breakdown of how will we use $14,531:
Your funding will allow us to
1. Fine-tune and Finish editing the Film = $2,000
2. Produce the Minimum Orders of DVD's, skateboards, t-shirts, stickers, postcards, posters, and prints of signature photos = $7,031
3. Create Art Show Events to compliment screenings in six cities = $4,500
4. Entrance fees to film festivals = $1000
Rewards for Your Generosity
We offer you unique products related to the project: the film, postcards, stickers, t-shirts, skate decks, framed prints of the 'pool' photo and/or screening of the film near you! We're ready to produce them with your help! Here's what you get:
Here are some close ups of the rewards:
Skate Decks
Designed by Philadelphia Skateboards, the very first Arab company of its kind.
T-Shirts
Rise Up will print original 'PUSH Tunisia' t-shirts for us in both men's and women's sizes.
Postcards
One of the postcard ideas with signature photo of Tzahi skating the 'pool' by Evan Collisson. We can print these with your help!
Stickers
Stickers will be white 'PUSH Tunisia' logo on clear backing.
With your pledge all this becomes a reality! Thanks for supporting PUSH Tunisia!
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Press
See coverage in the media about the project:Rolling Stone Middle East
The Guardian UK
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
A Big Thank You!
The trip and most of the film were made possible by a grant from the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia with additional support from the Hunters and the Hoffus/King families. It was also supported by the Gibson Family, Rise Up International, Philadelphia Skateboards, Element Skateboards, The Skateboard Store and SkateArabia.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
143
Backers
$15,220
pledged of $14,531 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 14.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
3 different postcards, a sticker + a Big Up from the entire crew. (for shipping outside the U.S. add $1)
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
A digital download of the film + 3 different postcards and a Big Up from the entire crew. (for shipping outside the U.S. add $1)
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
A PUSH Tunisia DVD + 100% cotton 'PUSH Tunisia' Rise Up t-shirt + postcards + sticker and a Heartfelt Thank You from the entire crew. (for shipping outside the U.S. add $10)
Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more
A skate deck by Philadelphia Skateboards, the first Arab skate company based in Amman, Jordan. We will ship your first or second choice in graphics depending on availability. Also includes the DVD, t-shirt, postcards + sticker (shipping outside the U.S. add $30)
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
TWO of everything above + a poster size professionally framed print of 'Tzahi skating the Pool' photo by Evan Collisson.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Everything above + an Original art deck by one of our artists + we will tag your name at the mansion and take a picture for you.
Project By
Connected as TheBedouins Peace (236 friends)
BACKGROUND
This film project was conceived by Nathan Gray, an American who grew up in the Middle East, with a passion for revealing that, despite religious/cultural differences, the people in this region are people just like anywhere else. By following his dreams, he went from a curious adventurer — riding his bicycle across the Middle East with his skateboard — to maker of films that speak to his interests in skateboarding, street art and the good people he has encountered on his journey. After his films Sour www.sourcrew.com and Smile www.reframecollection.org/films/film… one thing led to another and he found himself a director of his own non-profit, theBedouins.org, with a grant to implement some of his dreams. He gathered skaters, artists and volunteers in Tunisia, the birth place of Arab Springs. Here is his description of the people who joined him on PUSH Tunisia:
Evan Collisson is a skater, cameraman and editor who grew up in Dubai. He currently rides for Philadelphia Skateboards and I am super excited to have the opportunity to work on a project with him. One of his pieces called Skate Arabia made it on FUEL TV which you might have seen.
Tanner Lostan is a skater who grew up in Morocco and the UAE. He lives in San Francisco now and was part of the Skate Arabia crew from back in the day. I met Tanner in Jordan in 2009.
Mohammed Zakaria is a skater and founder of Philadelphia Skateboards. I met Mohammed in 2006 skating in Jordan and we've been friends ever since. Back then I don't think Philadelphia was even an idea but it is so amazing and encouraging to see Moey take his dream and make it a reality. I can't say how stoked I am that he is coming to Tunisia and involved in the creation of this project.
Yehia Ossama is a skater and artist. I met Yehia in Cairo in 2006 when I was touring around with my bicycle, skateboard and camera. He's a really talented skater/graffiti artist that is involved in a skate film near completion called Cairo's Comeback. I'm looking forward to catching up with him since it's been awhile.
Jared Gibson is our host skater. He's an American skater living in Tunis and both his parents work for the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia. Actually his family is the whole reason PUSH Tunisia came about because they wanted to create a project that would push their son in a positive direction but also have a positive impact for the people of Tunisia, the people in that region and for humanity.
Tzahi Einat is a skater from Israel via Iraq. I met Tzahi during the Sour project and he was real young at the time but he's really progressed as a skater since then. We've been on a couple more trips together including a journey into Palestine. One of the best qualities of Tzahi is his enthusiasm and humor.
Jake Hunter is a skater and he and his wife Beth are volunteers. I grew up with Jake in Saudi Arabia and we spent countless hours riding our dirt bikes and exploring the sand dunes in this region. Jake picked up skateboards after the motorcycle years and he is always down for an adventure.
Adam Sgrenci is a ramp builder and volunteer. All I can say is that Adam is a socially minded person who is down for the cause. He helped line up an art show in the Bay area for theBedouins and now he's volunteered to help out with PUSH Tunisia. He works construction by trade but also did social work and helped families of 9/11 victims when he was living in New York City shortly after the attacks.
Jesse Roberts is an artist and activist. He is the founder of Rise Up International, which is a socially conscience clothing brand that uses fashion to fight poverty. They are based in Bend (where we are based too) so we connected through our similar interests. He is going to spearhead the art show in Tunis.
Todd Nims is a producer and visionary. He is another friend who I grew up with in Saudi Arabia who I have known for over 20 years. He is an accomplished filmmaker and currently has a position as the Film Producer at the King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge and World Culture in Saudi Arabia.
Euijin Gray is an art director and artist. She was born in Korea and moved to America when she was 11. She used to run a small, informal studio and gallery space in Bend where she helped local artists magnify their creativity by showing their work, fine tuning their skills and helping present their ideas in a beautiful way because she is an extremely talented visual designer. Euijin is pretty modest and probably doesn't want me talking about her too much but if you ever have the chance to speak with her she will blow your mind with brilliance.
Finally, there is Teo Gray, our 18-month old son, a future artist and skater for Philadelphia Skateboards. Inshallah.
