My dear friends and suppporters!

O my goodness! or as I am fond of saying-- Holy Smoking Joe Frazier! [who is following me on Twitter, by the way!]

THANK YOU BACKERS! You are dear people and I thank you frm the bottom of my heart! Please know I will never forget this.

I do not know where to begin, but would like to thank each and every one of you. Your kind donations have given me so much inspiration to keep fighting the good fight.

After a long haul, and a long hiatus (2008), Fat Girls Float has been reborn. This one woman show has partnered with a special friend of the project who will be advising on edits and the shaping of the footage--and all the while trying NOT to make it look like a lazer light show at a Phish concert ("not that there is anything wrong with all that")! : ) But, I am so excited to get on with the next step of post-production! thank you for that opportunity!

I do believe, on my own dime, that I will need to return to London due to poor audio. I believe the my Brit ladies add an interesting perspective to the film. I will also return to Los Angeles with the hopes that some special ladies will join me in front of the camera and have their say. And there is a few more people I'd like to shoot around NYC. We a great big wonderful community, and, as always, I would like to include everyone.

I want you to know how grateful I am for your generous support. I always say that humility is best reached through practice, and this endeavor was certainly a testament to that.

There have been good strides in the size acceptance communities. I want to believe in letting the plus-sized person become a part of the mainstream party, but there are many people, especially women, who still feel that they are on the outside looking in. I would like to erase that wall with this film. In the wise words of my friend Velvet, who has always been a great sense of support to me--personally and professionaly--this film is a quilt of all the special voices of women who walk around in plus-sized/fat bodies. Its inspiration is already recognized by an 18 year old girl who contacted me to say that the trailer served that purpose in her life. And all I can help but think is, who else is still suffering? How many more women can be helped? I thank you from the bottom of my heart in allowing me the opportunity to do that!

I'd like to thank JN for loaning me his camera and believeing in my idea.

JR and CZ-- this is ALL because of you! Thanks for the kickstarter.com invite! and a special thanks to CZ for the Jezebel.com tip-off!

This achievement would not be possible without the efforts and enthusiasm of Ivan Greene of FAT IN NYC.com and the Size Acceptance Salon: Chewing the FAT,
Corinna Makris of ThisLushLife.com/ACelebrationof Curves.com, Jay Solomon of MoreofMeToLove.com, and Golda Portensky of BodyLoveWellness.com.

Velvet--for always caring, and for always listening, and for always making me laugh!

With tender gratitude I also thank:

Bianca and Sylvia @ ZaftigChicks.com, Kay@ PlusFigured.com, M.E. Wood @BellaOnline.com,

Heather Boyle for your kind words of support, always welcoming me to film, and for putting it on bbwdistrict.com!

Anna North of jezebel.com-- thank you for writing about such an imoprtant points in FGF.
Kjerstin Johnson of BitchMagazine.com--thank you for the post!
My dear Raqui of LargeInCharge.com and LIC radio.com
My dear Aja Stubbs of BelleNoir.com and BellNoir Radio.com
My dear Tee@ fatgirlsguidetoliving.com
My dear Nancy Goddess for showcasing me on her TV Show and at Goddesses'.
Lara Frater @ FatChicksRule--why? cause you are a fat chick who rules!
Bri@ FatLotofGood.com--for your support, putting me on the feeds (Thanks Corinna and Ivan!), and your sheer kindness to feature me on your site!
Brie Brown @ BBWNetwork.com
Nicole @ FlabbyFabulousFashionista.com
BigGirlBlue@ TheCurvyShopper.com
Jo and Richard @ukbigpeople.co.uk
Jadox @ BigGirlProof--for your support, your song, and your support. (And your hugs!)
Di @ FatChic.net
MaryAnn Johnson @ Alliance of Women Film Journalists--- I am humbled, touched, and without words!
MoePie@ BigFat Deal.com
Rakisha White @ brooklynShoeBabe.weheartthis.com
Goofy for posting the jezebel article on dimensionsmagazine.com
Trillian's post on joyousbirth.com
Deb Beuregard
MsFatGirl.com
FatWaitress.com
ChicagoBBW.com
Atchka.com!

To my new producers: Alex Stone, Conner, Durette, and Nancy Goddess! Get ready! :)

David R. Garrett--for all his sheer kindness, special advice and ear lending.
Deb Malkin from Re/Dress and the lovely Bevin-- thank you for the support and my first ever FGF live showcase!
T.King--for your advice and support.
Bruce--for listening, advising, sharing, and caring!

For all of you who blogged, reTweeted or shared it on FaceBook! and any other web sites where FGF come up via Google, but are not found, whoever posted it on tumblr.com, dynamictube.com, and curvage.com!

If there is anyone I forgot, it due to sheer exhaustion! and I beg your apologies!

All my interviewees--you are brave! You inspire me!

All rewards will be sent out as soon as possible. Velvet will be personalizing your photos, as I will be the production stills, so it may take a bit of time from them to get them from Paris to New York and then out to you--considering the holiday card rush. I will be keeping you informed. I am not sure if I have a permanent home on kickstarter, but hopefully they will supply me with that information soon enough.

In the mean time, I would love if you could be my friend on FaceBook, and follow me on Twitter
(I am getting better at it! Right, Jay?!), you'll be able to stay more closely attached and up to date. please also consider following my on my blog listed below.

I remain, with a smile, a humble fat girl closer to her dream.....all because of YOU!

OK, queue music --> We Are the Champions! Yee ha!

My very warmest regards and the happiest of holiday wishes to you all,

KIRA

KIRA NERUSSKYA, director
F A T G I R L S F L O A T
New York City
fatgirlsfloat@gmail.com
www.fatgirlsfloat.blogspot.com

"In a culture where fat can weigh you down, the only thingthat keeps you from sinking, is the size of your heart. FAT GIRLS FLOAT."

+Ms. Shriver--you remain in my prayers+ +MyStarinFlight--this one's for you.+

Hello my fine floating friends.....

I just wanted you to know as we are winding down and coming close to the final days..... I am still working hard! And then some! The higher the number the more I can accomplish for this step of post-production.

I added two new clips to You Tube!

The first clip is me talking about grassroots activism, which is what we have all done here! For which.. ...my gratitude cannot even be expressed in words. I have been trying to keep focused and not let my emotions get the best of me at this moment---- I am going to keep working-working-working!...which I love. But, I have definately had my eyes filled with tears since the 3rd, as I continue to get amazing messages from people.

Here is how you can find the first clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch...

The second clip is me talking at Re/Dress NYC at the Fat Studies Reader book signing event in Brooklyn, New York on Friday, December 4th.

Here is that video: http://www.youtube.com/watch...

I will be returning to Re/Dress for Maxi Craft! A Holiday Craft Fair on Wednesday, December 9th. I will be screening the trailer and taking questions from the crowd! And pledges, too! I hope! :)
I am very grateful to Deb and Bevin for the invites!

On December 20th @ 7pm EST, I am going to have an open conference line to talk to all of you! Anyone can phone in and chat live with me. Everyone is welcome! I would really love it if you did, so that I can personally thank you. I think we would have a cheerful discussion with many laughs! Please consider joining me! I would really love it if you could!

Lastly, gratefully, Fat Girls Float was featured in an article by Anna North on Jezebel.com. If you haven't read it yet, please do so: http://jezebel.com/5416346/i-wont-simply-accept-that-my-brother-is-fat I ask you to please continue to keep Ms. Shriver in your prayers.

That's it for now... but not for long!

"In a world where fat can weigh you down, the only thing that keeps you from sinking is the size of your heart." FAT GIRLS FLOAT.

Much love
KIRA NERUSSKAYA

Dear fellow floaters!

Wow..... I am so happy, so excited, and so touched-- thanks to ALL of you!

I wanted to thank all the people who have been so generous of their time and have promoted this project-- without their help, I would not be where I am today. Special thanks to Ivan Green whose enthusiasm has been astounding and encouraging; Corinna Makris for her wise words and support--from the get-go!, to More of Me to Love for their kind support and thoughtful guidance!

As much fun as it might be to sit on my laurels, I simply can't! It is so important in these last few days to raise as much as possible.

I also wanted to let you know:

FAT GIRLS FLOAT was featured in an article on Jezebel.com. Since its publication, there has been an out pour of pledges, and we have subsequently made the goal as a result. However, is it bittersweet as Ms. Shriver lost her brother on November 22. My heart goes out to her. She and her family are in my prayers. I humbly ask that, if you are able, to offer a prayer for them as well. There is a deeper related story here that will be revealed in the film. However, in some way, I want to hope that through his death and the completion of FAT GIRLS FLOAT, an opportunity for further dialogue and communication, education, healing, and hope for all who seek it--and for those whom it finds--will be provided. If you get a chance, please take the time to read the article.
[http://jezebel.com/5416346/i-wont-simply-accept-that-my-brother-is-fat]

More than ever, I feel that this project is needed, as it will help even more people on many levels than I could ever hope possible. One backer recently shared with me, "obviously this is a subject that needs to be brought to a much wider audience."

I asked permission of one backer, Anissa, who kindly agreed that I could share her words "I really loved your preview and I think what you are doing and the stories you are presenting are rarely seen in the media or anywhere. Sizeism is rampant and has resulted in a lifelong struggle learning to love my body (still not there yet). I'm sure your work will educate and inspire others. I support you so much! Thank you for being and doing." THAT, my friends, is what it's all about. I thank Anissa for bravely allowing me to share her words.

As we enter the holiday season, and charitable donations are being made int he names of good causes; I hope you consider making a pledge to FAT GIRLS FLOAT , or encourage others to, so that I can continue to work to bring a positive spin about people, particularly women, of size to the world.

I thank you from the bottom of my big fat heart.

I remain, yours, a fat girl with a dream..... that is a whole lot closer to coming true--thanks to YOU.

Warmest regards,

KIRA NERUSSKYA

Hello my friends, supporters..... and people I hope to one day meet!

You have changed my life. And with that change, you are helping me to change other's lives.

I am so overwhelmed tonight.... I thought I would get to the laughing myself silly in grateful satisfaction, but....I find I continue to wipe away tears of happiness and gratefulness instead.

I am going to share some stories with you over the weekend.

I want to get that number as high as possible and will be making a few area appearances to do it.....

My sincerest thanks from the bottom of my very touched heart!

KIRA

Hello friends...

We are getting closer! And I have all of you to thank for that.

I am so touched by the support... of your kind generosity!

This evening I am going to be featured on the Size Acceptance Salon hosted by Ivan Greene of the FAT IN NYC blog, featuring Corinna Makris from This Lush Life and A Celebration of Curves. The Size Acceptance Salon is generously sponsored by More of Me to Love.com. Both Ivan and Corinna have been monumental in the promotion of FAT GIRLS FLOAT, and the best thank you I can give them is the completion of this film project. I thank them for their support and enthusiasm.

It is a very exciting opportunity to talk about the film.

I hope you can join me, or listen to the audio after the show. you will need to join the meetup group at meetup.com, and then can call in once you receive meetup information.

I'd love it if you can join us!

http://www.meetup.com/SizeAcceptanceSalon/

All the best,
KIRA