About this project

http://villageofpeacemovie.com/

Hi everyone,

First off, thank you so much to everybody who has been helping with donations, and spreading the word. We have had a ton of great exposure, and really great feedback from everyone.

Unfortunately, it seems as though we wont be reaching our kickstarter goal. This means we won’t be able to receive ANY funds, and if you pledged to donate you will NOT be charged.

Because of kickstarters platform, it is very difficult to donate money because you first have to start an account with Amazon, and second, even if our goal was reached they take 8-10% of the amount raised. All of this plus the deadline, and all or nothing nature of the site, we decided to take the fundraising into our own hands.

We have our own movie website, in which people can view our trailer, donate through Paypal (no fee) easily and securely, and check up on our blog where we will be posting news, links, videos, pictures, stories, and more. Here is the link to our site:

http://villageofpeacemovie.com/

We also have a P.O. box address if anybody would feel more comfortable mailing a check. If you can, please cancel your pledge on kickstarter and pledge on our website. It will only take a minute and it will mean a lot for us. If you donate to our new site, all of our rewards are still available. For those who would like to receive your rewards, please email stating the amount you have donated, your name, and address: Benschuder@affinityvisionent.com ....and he will arrange all of the items to be delivered as they become available. Thanks again for all of your support!!! We are working hard on the film and super excited for the release and for the world to see!

UPDATE: any donation $100 or more now will include a carved avocado Seed by star of film "Prince Hiskiyahu"

NOTE: If you would like to donate but prefer to mail a check, please email Benschuder@affinityvisionent.com and I will provide you with a mailing address. Thanks!

Our movie “The Village of Peace” follows the lives of four individuals who are part of a unique community known as the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem. Through their personal interviews and daily documentation, we come to understand the history, beliefs, and everyday practices of their society as a whole, and the people who comprise it.

The Black Hebrews were originally African-Americans from Chicago, who in 1967 began a two-year migration through Liberia, to their current home in Dimona, Israel.  The Hebrew Israelites started practicing their beliefs, and eventually embarked on their exodus, amidst the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s.  Roughly 300 people made up the original migration, yet within 40 years over 5,000 Hebrew Israelites now reside in Israel.  The Hebrew Israelites hold to a polygamist lifestyle and vegan diet.  Their community is self run, self governed and self educated. They hold themselves to a higher standard of life with intense focus on health, family, and enlightenment.

We need YOUR help sharing this incredible story!

If we don't raise our goal of $22,000 by our target date, this film will not be finished.

Also "Like" us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Village-of-Peace/130467510394639?sk=info

Your money will go toward:

Sound Editing, Coloring, Archive footage, Music Acquisition, Legal Councel, Editing Expenses, Film Festival Applications, and Marketing

These services are very expensive. We need this documentary to be as professional as possible, as we are going to submit it to over a dozen film festivals worldwide! $22,000 will not cover all of our expenses, but will be a HUGE help. Even if you can't donate, please help by spreading the word and posting our link on your social network. Also "Like" our Facebook Page:

Thanks for your support!!!

Background: Sam Schuder met his good friend Shaleem Edwards while working together in Oakland, CA during their adolescence. In 2010, Sam and his brother Ben traveled to Israel, and while traveling visited Shaleem's family in his home town of Dimona, Israel. It was there that they learned about "The Village of Peace", the desert community of Black Hebrew Israelites. It was such a unique place and such an incredible perspective, that they were immediately mesmerized.  Ben and Sam left Israel determined to return to the Village.

In 2011, after months of preparations, Ben and Sam Schuder returned to Israel with Niko Philipides, Aaron McCreary, Jack Madigan, Vincent Hobbs, and Brandon Katcher to learn more, and share their story and way of life with the world...

Team:

Jack Madigan - Executive Producer

Aaron McCreary - Executive Producer

Ben Schuder - Producer/ Director

Niko Philipides - Producer/ Director

Sam Schuder - Producer

Vinnie Hobbs - Cinematographer/ Editor

Brandon Katcher - Director of Photography

Shaleem Edwards - Associate Producer

Note: Any opinions or views stated in the documentary don't necessarily reflect the view of the filmmakers.