About this project
THE GOAL:
A theatrical release in Los Angeles to qualify my documentary film Incident in New Baghdad for Academy Award consideration.
This year, I completed a short documentary called Incident in New Baghdad, about U.S. Army veteran Ethan McCord's life-changing experiences at the scene of one of the most notorious events of the Iraq War: an American helicopter attack that killed two Reuters journalists, along with a group of mostly unarmed civilians, on the streets of Baghdad in July 2007. The film instantly struck a nerve when it debuted at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, where it won Best Documentary Short. Incident in New Baghdad has since played to a packed theatre at the Palm Springs Shortfest, and just recently was awarded Best Documentary Short at the 2011 Rhode Island International Film Festival. Already slated for several more international film festivals in the fall, the film is clearly on a roll!
I would now like to take Incident in New Baghdad to the next level in national recognition: a one-week theatrical release at the Sunset 5 Theatre in West Hollywood to officially qualify for an Academy Award nomination. And I need your help to make it happen!
I know a lot of people believe in this project, and the broader goal of enlightening the world about the real meaning of war. Now is your chance to join me in launching the film's first theatrical run, making it eligible for consideration for an Oscar. In return, you can get some pretty cool perks, including a pre-release copy of the DVD, your name in the "Special Thanks," any number of producer credits--even a private dinner and conversation with Ethan McCord and director Jim Spione!
THE FILM:
Incident in New Baghdad details the profound inner journey of Ethan McCord and his extraordinary transformation from patriotic warrior to disillusioned vet to antiwar activist. It is a gripping personal story with much wider implications for America and our place in the world. On that hot Baghdad morning in 2007, McCord bore witness to devastating carnage, found and rescued two children caught in the crossfire, and soon turned against the war that he had enthusiastically joined only months before. Denied psychological treatment in Iraq for his PTSD, McCord returned home, struggling for years with anger, confusion, and guilt over the war. When WikiLeaks released the stunning cockpit video of the incident in April 2010, McCord was finally spurred into action, and began traveling the country, speaking out for the rights of PTSD sufferers and against the American wars in the Middle East.
WHAT CRITICS HAVE SAID:
"One powerful and disturbing film." - Filmmaker Magazine
"A terrifying and powerful reminder that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue and that every American is involved. It jolted me awake." - Josh Fox, Director, GASLAND
"A moving short... truly not worth missing." - ArtInfo
"A film that bravely explores the residual effects of experiencing trauma in war in a truthful and fearless manner." - Tribeca Film Festival Jury
"A powerful and important film that must be seen." - George T. Marshall, Executive Director, Rhode Island International Film Festival
THE FILMMAKER:
Jim Spione is an independent filmmaker based in New York City. He has made a number of acclaimed documentary and fiction films over the past 20 years. More details in the bio below!
FAQ
-
Yes, absolutely. Any credit with "producer" in it will also be given billing on the film's page on IMDb.
-
The initial goal was met in little over one day, which is amazing. However, that target was based on a bare-bones budget, the minimum with which I could make this theatrical run happen. The additional monies that are coming in now will help to further advance the film's visibility in Los Angeles, going towards things like more and larger advertisements, hiring of a publicist, and creation of marketing materials. Remember, I will be competing against some pretty well-funded "insider" movies. Any additional pledges will be a huge help!
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
84
Backers
$11,960
pledged of $7,850 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 7, 2011.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
Every little bit counts! You will receive a heartfelt thank you email from me, plus your name listed on a special "Thank You" page on the "Incident in New Baghdad" website.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
You will get credited on the website, and be one of the first people to own the "Incident in New Baghdad" DVD, in the original theatrical version, before it becomes available anywhere else!
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
An autographed copy of the "Incident in New Baghdad" DVD, signed by U.S. Army Specialist Ethan McCord and director James Spione; plus your name in the "Special Thanks" in the end credits of the film!
Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more
A signed DVD, your name in the "Special Thanks" on the film, plus two (2) tickets to the Los Angeles theatrical premiere and reception!
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
The signed DVD, two (2) LA premiere tickets, plus a "Benefactor" credit on a separate card in the end credits of the film (this credit may be shared with others).
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
The signed DVD, LA premiere tickets, an "Associate Producer" credit on a separate card in the end credits of the film (this credit may be shared with others); plus a private dinner and conversation in Los Angeles with director James Spione and the subject of the film, U.S. Army veteran Ethan McCord.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Congratulations! You are now a Co-Producer! A signed DVD, LA premiere tickets, a "Co-producer" credit on a separate card in the end credits of the film (this credit may be shared with others); plus a private dinner and conversation in Los Angeles with director James Spione and the subject of the film, U.S. Army veteran Ethan McCord.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
You will become the sole Executive Producer of this movie. In addition, you will receive the signed DVD, LA premiere tickets, plus a private dinner and conversation in Los Angeles with director James Spione and the subject of the film, U.S. Army veteran Ethan McCord.
Project By
Has not connected their Facebook account.
James Spione is an independent filmmaker based in New York City. His first documentary feature, "American Farm," detailed the intense generational conflicts on his family's 200-year-old homestead in central New York State. The film played theatrically from New England to the Midwest, and was subsequently released on DVD by Passion River Films.
In conjunction with the Barrier Island Center, Spione next created the poignant portrait film "Our Island Home," about the last surviving denizens of a vanished settlement off the coast of Virginia. The movie is part of a planned trilogy on the Eastern Shore region, and the director is currently in production on the second film in the series.
Jim Spione has also made a number of fiction films. Perhaps his best-known work was the eerie Sundance favorite "Garden," a suspenseful drama starring Oscar® winner Melissa Leo ("The Fighter") and veteran character actor Matt Malloy ("Six Feet Under"); the film screened at festivals worldwide. His next movie, "The Playroom," starring Pamela Stewart ("The Reception"), was shown at New York’s Walter Reade Theatre as part of the "Independents Night" series, and was featured on the national pay-per-view cable program Reel Street.
His first film "Prelude" earned a Student Academy Award® from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and was seen at numerous international film festivals. Mr. Spione also produced the acclaimed independent feature "Parallel Sons" (Sundance '95), directed by John G. Young.
Jim works frequently as a film, video and television editor; credits include "God's Open Hand," an independent documentary about the first presidential election in Afghanistan, Darien Sills-Evans’ "X-Patriots," and the PBS series "Life 360."
