About this project
** All donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE through Truth Aid. Truth Aid is a nonprofit social venture that produces media to raise awareness about important social issues. **
We have raised 60% of our budget to date. We now need to raise the remaining $150,000, but our goal is to raise $30,000 through this campaign which will allow us to begin principal photography in the Spring of 2012. Every dollar helps! If you make a pledge and we do not meet our goal of $30,000.00 your pledge returns to you. In fact, your credit card is only deducted if we meet our goal.
THE FILM: Oblivion is a feature length narrative film based on a true story about the legal precedent setting court case that outlawed the practice of abduction for marriage in Ethiopia – also referred to as “telefa”. It tells the story of a 14-year old girl named Aberash Bekele who was accused of murder after killing the 29-year old man who raped, beat, and abducted her in an attempt to marry her.
Aberash was defending herself but customary practice did not allow it. She was charged with murder by the local police and kept in prison without bail. A female lawyer named Meaza Ashenafi heard about the case and decided to represent Aberash. With the odds stacked against them, these two women fight a drawn out legal battle over a harrowing two year period that turns a new chapter in Ethiopiaʼs history and changes the lives of Ethiopian women forever.
Oblivion will be shot in Ethiopia on 35mm film in Spring of 2012. The film’s spoken language is Amharic, the national language of Ethiopia.
Oblivion has received support from Panavison Cameras, Pipeline Production Support, Ministry of Culture Ethiopia, Julie Mehretu, Jessica Rankin and many other amazing individuals like you.
FAQ
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$37,617
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal 3 days ago.
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A thank you tweet/facebook post goes out to everyone who backs this project!
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A thank you tweet/facebook post goes out to everyone who backs this project!
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website, 1 digital image by the director from his Oblivion series
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website, 2 digital images by the director from his Oblivion series.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website, 2 digital images by the director from his Oblivion series, authentic Ethiopian hand woven scarf
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website, 2 digital images by the director from his Oblivion series, authentic Ethiopian hand woven scarf, plus OBLIVION tote bag.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website, 2 digital images by the director from his Oblivion series, authentic Ethiopian hand woven scarf, plus OBLIVION tote bag, plus signed copy of OBLIVION DVD (upon DVD release).
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website, 2 digital images by the director from his Oblivion series, authentic Ethiopian hand woven scarf, plus OBLIVION tote bag, signed copy of OBLIVION DVD (upon DVD release), plus 2 tickets to a preview screening of OBLIVION in NYC before it officially premieres (transportation not included).
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website, 2 digital images by the director from his Oblivion series, authentic Ethiopian hand woven scarf, plus OBLIVION tote bag, signed copy of OBLIVION DVD (upon DVD release), 2 tickets to a preview screening of OBLIVION in NYC before it officially premieres (transportation not included), plus hand made Ethiopian blanket.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website, 2 digital images by the director from his Oblivion series, authentic Ethiopian hand woven scarf, plus OBLIVION tote bag, signed copy of OBLIVION DVD (upon DVD release), 2 tickets to a preview screening of OBLIVION in NYC before it officially premieres (transportation not included), Hand made Ethiopian blanket, plus Special Thanks credit in the film titles of OBLIVION.
Pledge $7,500 or more Pledge $7,500 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website, 2 digital images by the director from his Oblivion series, authentic Ethiopian hand woven scarf, plus OBLIVION tote bag, signed copy of OBLIVION DVD (upon DVD release), 2 tickets to a preview screening of OBLIVION in NYC before it officially premieres (transportation not included), Hand made Ethiopian blanket, Special Thanks credit in the film titles of OBLIVION, plus 30 min skype session with the director of Oblivion to discuss the film in more depth.
Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more
Special thank you on the OBLIVION website, 2 digital images by the director from his Oblivion series, authentic Ethiopian hand woven scarf, plus OBLIVION tote bag, signed copy of OBLIVION DVD (upon DVD release), 2 tickets to a preview screening of OBLIVION in NYC before it officially premieres (transportation not included), Hand made Ethiopian blanket, Special Thanks credit in the film titles of OBLIVION, plus 30 min skype session with the director of Oblivion to discuss the film in more depth, plus ASSOCIATE PRODUCER credit on the official completed OBLIVION film.
Project By
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Zeresenay is an award-winning writer/director. Born and raised In Ethiopia and a graduate of USC film school, Zeresenay accrued years of experience working with award winning producers, directors, and cinematographers in Los Angeles, while also producing and shooting media projects for community-based groups in Ethiopia. Over a seven year-period Zeresenay acquired field experience in Ethiopia telling stories about change. He worked with community-based groups to craft narratives that tackle issues such as gender, religious tolerance, water, HIV, and climate change.
Zeresenay’s body of work include two best short film nominations, one of them opened for Tsotsi at the PAFF, one best African music video award, and a best feature documentary award at the Third Annual Addis Ababa Film Festival.
