A professional American basketball player accepts an offer to play in one of the world's most feared countries: Iran.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS AMAZING SUPPORT! WE ARE - FOR ONCE - SPEECHLESS!!!!
After our campaign's deadline anyone who wishes to continue supporting THE IRAN JOB can make a 100% tax deductible contribution here:
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Your support directly affects our ability to give THE IRAN JOB a wide release. Thank you all so very much!
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THE IRAN JOB follows American basketball player Kevin Sheppard as he accepts a job to play in one of the world’s most feared countries: Iran. With tensions running high between Iran and the West, Kevin tries to separate sports from politics, only to find that politics is impossible to escape in Iran. Along the way he forms an unlikely alliance with three outspoken Iranian women. Thanks to these women, his apartment turns into an oasis of free speech, where they discuss everything from politics to religion to gender roles. Kevin’s season in Iran culminates in something much bigger than basketball: the uprising and subsequent suppression of Iran’s reformist Green Movement – a powerful prelude to the currently unfolding Arab Spring.
HOW THE IRAN JOB STARTED:
In the fall of 2008 – shortly after Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for the destruction of Israel – we had a Skype call with Kevin Sheppard, a flashy point-guard from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Kevin was about to start a basketball contract in the Iranian Super League. A minute into the conversation he had us rolling on the floor laughing in spite of the prospect of playing in a country that's supposedly full of illegal nukes and Islamic terrorists. We decided to start filming, even without a budget. (Fellow filmmakers: please don’t do this to yourselves, especially when you’re married with a small child and another on the way...) Till (husband/director) filmed Kevin in Iran over several visits, until on his last trip - in the run-up to Iran’s 2009 election - he was informed that he had been placed on a "black list" (for reasons still not clear to us), and was put in detention in a kind of "hotel-prison" inside the glitzy new Tehran airport. Sara (wife/producer) was at home, 5-months pregnant with kid number 2, while Till was in Tehran hand-shredding some not-so-cool-documents-when-you’re-stuck-in-Iran and flushing them down the toilet. He was sent back to New York on the next plane -- a stroke of luck in retrospect given the number of filmmakers and journalists recently arrested in Iran.
WHAT WE'RE DOING:
We need to raise at least $50,000 by the end of the year, and then ideally 150K to prepare the film for a 2012 release.
WHY NOW:
With the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq winding down, and the world's attention laser-focusing on Iran again this is a critical time to take a fresh look at Iranians. It may even be crucial in avoiding the next war in a Muslim country.
Besides … the NBA is locked out, so you might as well watch exciting basketball in Iran!
PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS:
Abigail Disney - executive producer of Academy Award shortlisted Pray The Devil Back To Hell and Academy Award nominated Sun Come Up, and creator of the PBS series Women, War and Peace – is our executive producer. Berlin’s The Post Republic (Waltz With Bashier) is our German co-producer. Christiane Amanpour graciously co-hosted a fundraiser. Gloria Steinem noted the film’s unexpected nexus of male sports and women’s rights – for while THE IRAN JOB is about men's basketball, above all it gives voice to three very brave Iranian women. We’ve also won the support of Karim Sadjapour, associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
And we're thrilled THE IRAN JOB features some of the most cutting-edge Iranian rap and hip-hop, including such artists as Shahin Najafi, Jadugaran, ZedBazi, and A2.
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT THE IRAN JOB:
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Make a pledge today via Kickstarter. Any contribution, no matter how small or large, will make a difference. And all contributions will be rewarded! Please check out the donation tiers to your right to find the level and gift that’s right for you!
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Spread the word by telling your friends, family and social networks about our film and this Kickstarter campaign. Please send the URL of this page with a heartfelt endorsement to everyone you know! "Like" and Share the link on Facebook, Twitter, by email or blog. Encourage people to follow us. We can be found online here: Facebook, Twitter, www.theiranjob.com
If you have other ideas how to help please contact us!
HOW KICKSTARTER WORKS:
Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects, driven by an all-or-nothing modus. If we don’t raise our goal of $50,000, we lose everything, and no money changes hands. If we do reach our goal, the film will come out in 2012. Our campaign will last for 50 days. 50 days go by very fast. If you can, please pledge now – it will help build crucial momentum.
During our campaign and beyond we will keep you updated on the progress of the film, and we welcome any feedback and comments. Thank you very much for helping us complete this journey!
With much love and gratitude,
Sara Nodjoumi & Till Schauder
FAQ
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Pledging is easy and can be done from anywhere in the world: Simplyclick the green “Back This Project” button in the upper right-handcorner. You will be asked to input your pledge amount and select a
reward. From there, you will go through the Amazon checkout process.
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Aside from a 5% Kickstarter fee and a 3-5% Amazon credit card
processing fee, all funds raised will be used directly for the
completion and marketing of the film, including:
Additional editing to prepare the film for international broadcast and
educational fields
Translation and subtitling into Farsi, Spanish, French, and many other languages
Cutting a trailer for the theatrical release
Paying outstanding licensing fees for news clips
Paying for legal fees
Building a comprehensive website
Creating press materials
Creating a comprehensive outreach campaign
Producing educational materials for educators and policy makers
Film Festival submission fees
Booking venues for word-of-mouth screenings
Flying Kevin and our three Iranian protagonists - Laleh, Hilda andElaheh - to the world premiere
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YES, and we need to! $50,000 is our primary goal. Going forward we'll
need much more than that to cover distribution and marketing expenses.
Kickstarter will allow you to donate as much money as you want/can
before the deadline. All of it will go into the film — footage
licensing, marketing, promotion, additional screenings etc. —
everything to move the film forward and give it the widest possible
audience. Film is still an incredibly expensive medium. Every dollarhelps. In a perfect world we’ll raise twice our goal.
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YES! Once you donate to our campaign, you absolutely can increase your
pledge amount or change your incentive. To do so, sign in to
Kickstarter. Go to our campaign page and click the blue “Manage Your
Donation” button. There, you can enter a new amount, and choose a newincentive.
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If you are interested in donating a larger amount (over $10,000) you
can make a 100% tax deductible contribution through our fiscal
sponsor, IFP. We would appreciate such strong support immensely and
reward it accordingly. To make a 100% tax deductible donation please
visit the following link:THE IRAN JOB Fiscal Sponsor Link:
https://market.ifp.org/newyork/fiscal/DonateNow.cfm?ProjectID=380
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Kickstarter is a website designed to help raise financing for creative
projects and employs a unique all-or-nothing fundraising method where
projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands. For more
info, click here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter%20basics#WhatIsKick
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THE IRAN JOB won the Paley Center for Media Pitch Competition, was a
finalist at the MipDoc Co-production Market in Cannes and selected for
the IDFA Forum in Amsterdam; the project has received funding through
grants such as New York State Council on the Arts, PARSA Community
Foundation, Flora Foundation, Daphne Foundation, Kodak Foundation,
Richard Massey Foundation for Arts and Sciences, Art Bridge
Association; and it is backed by two exceptional co-producers, NewYork-based Fork Films and Berlin-based The Post Republic.
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For your pledge you will get unique rewards such as original artwork,
limited edition pre-release DVDs, signed posters, cool t-shirts,
tickets to the world premiere, a Persian cooking class (!) and more.Check out all rewards on the right side of this screen.
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1. Make a pledge today via Kickstarter! Please check out the donation
tiers to your right to find the level and gift that’s right for you!
2. Spread the word! Join our growing fan base by telling your friends,
family and social networks about our Kickstarter campaign. Please send
the URL of this page with a heartfelt endorsement to everyone you
know!
3. Sponsor a screening4. Become an outreach Partner
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TBD! It’s nerve-wrecking, but that’s the way independent film works!
Here’s how it goes: We submit to film festivals for 2012, but
won’t know for a while which festival will choose THE IRAN JOB for its
premiere. As it stands, a theatrical roll out should follow in Summer or Fall
2012, with DVD to follow. Rest assured, the film will bereleased, and we will make sure you know about it!
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Once our goal is funded, we will begin manufacturing and shipping
incentives. You will get a message from us requesting the details we
need to complete your order, such as T-shirt size, address, etc.Please reply to us ASAP so we can get your stuff to you!
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U.S. shipping is included in the pledge amount. (Add $6 for Canada; $10
for international.)
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Once we meet our funding goal, we will send you a message through
Kickstarter requesting all the necessary information.
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Yes! That’s a great idea! Once the project is funded, we will follow
up with you and get the name of the person you’re gifting to.
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If our goal isn’t met before the deadline, no money changes hands.
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You can contact Sara or Till directly by emailing movie@theiranjob.com.
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Incentives will only happen if our goal is met. If we meet our goal,
we will start to manufacture and ship all physical incentives directlyto you. Any digital incentives will go out ASAP.
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Sorry, Kickstarter only supports credit card payments through Amazon
Payments. If you do not have a credit card but want to donate pleasecontact us.
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Till Schauder, Director/Producer/Cinematographer: Till worked at Roger
Corman's Concorde Pictures in Los Angeles before attending the
University of Television and Film, Munich. In Germany he wrote and
directed the award winning films STRONG SHIT (Max Ophüls Film Festival
Reader's Award), and CITY BOMBER. After earning a government grant for
the arts he made his U.S. debut with the romantic comedy SANTA SMOKES
which won several international awards, among them Best Director at
the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Studio Hamburg Newcomer
Award. DUKE'S HOUSE, about Duke Ellington's Harlem home premiered at
the Tribeca Film Festival. THE IRAN JOB, currently being prepared for
a 2012 release, is Till’s first documentary project and it has already
garnered multiple grants and honors.
Sara Nodjoumi, Producer: Nodjoumi is a film programmer and producer.
From 2004-2010 she worked at the Tribeca Film Festival as an Associate
Programmer. In 2001, Sara co-produced and co-directed a series of
documentaries about the Iranian community in America. I CALL MYSELF
PERSIAN: IRANIANS IN AMERICA, the first of these films, aired on
multiple PBS stations and premiered in New York at the MoMA
Documentary Fortnight. From 2002 to 2005, Nodjoumi joined Schauder as
an Associate Producer on his feature films SANTA SMOKES and DUKE'S
HOUSE. In 2006, she worked on the marketing and release of Charles
Sturridge's critically acclaimed LASSIE. In 2009, Nodjoumi launched
and programmed the first children's film series at Tribeca Cinemas
(Rated #1 movie series in NYC for kids by NY Magazine). Sara and Till
reside in Brooklyn with their children, Nika and Luca.
More about us at www.partnerpictures.com including trailers of some of
our previous films.
Abigail Disney, Executive Producer: Disney is a filmmaker and
philanthropist. Her documentaries focused on social themes include the
award-winning PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL, FAMILY AFFAIR, PLAYGROUND,
and the 2011 Academy Award short-listed SUN COME UP. Her upcoming
television project, Women, War & Peace, is currently in production for
PBS Wide Angle by Fork Films, Disney’s production company, and is a
recent recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for
Humanities. Along with her husband, Pierre Hauser, Disney is also
co-Founder and co-President of the Daphne Foundation. Currently,
Disney serves on the boards of the Roy Disney Family Foundation, the
White House Project, the Global Fund for Women, the Fund for the City
of New York, and Peace is Loud. Disney received her Bachelors degree
from Yale University, her Masters degree from Stanford University, and
her Doctorate from Columbia University.
David Teague, Editor: Teague has edited two documentaries nominated
for an Academy Award®, including one winner (Freeheld, Winner 2008 and
Sun Come Up, Nominee 2011). He recently edited Born Sweet which
premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and has won over 10
festival awards. Teague directed, shot, and edited the award-winning
documentary Intifada NYC which has played festivals and major
broadcast outlets worldwide. His other documentary work includes Our
House, which he co-directed with Greg King (World Premiere Hot Docs
2010), editing a documentary on independent radio in Sierra Leone, and
editing Muppet documentary spots for Sesame Street. His editing and
camera work in numerous films has screened at Cannes, the Berlinale,
SXSW and the Tribeca Film Festival, among many others. He has taught
editing at DCTV and Long Island University, and is the author of two
bestselling guides to editing with Final Cut Pro.
Michael Reuter, Rebekka Garrido, The Post Republic -
http://www.post-republic.com
744
Backers
$100,466
pledged of $50,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Nov 20, 2011 -
Jan 9, 2012
(50 days)
- 2 created · 17 backed
- Sara Nodjoumi 1191 friends
- Website: theiranjob.com
Pledge $5 or more
48 backers
FAN - You'll get a personal thank you tweet from the producers and see your name on the Donor Wall of the website.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $10 or more
46 backers
CULTURAL AMBASSADOR - A huge thank you on the Donor Wall of the website. And you’ll become an Ambassador: we will send you a download of THE IRAN JOB mini-poster. Facebook it. Tweet it. Spread the word. Thank you!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $25 or more
306 backers
PLAYMAKER - You’ll get the limited edition, pre-release DVD.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $35 or more
14 backers
FASHIONISTA - you'll get the official THE IRAN JOB T-shirt (see a layout below). Wear it loud and proud!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $50 or more
103 backers
DIPLOMAT - You'll get the limited edition, pre-release DVD. And a high-definition print of your choice from a frame of the film, signed by the director & Kevin Sheppard, star of THE IRAN JOB. Choose from one of the options listed at the bottom.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $100 or more
92 backers
ALL-STAR - You’ll get the ALL STAR PACKAGE! It includes: the limited edition, pre-release DVD; a high-definition print of your choice, signed by the director & Kevin; and the official THE IRAN JOB T-shirt (see a layout below)
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $250 or more
18 backers Limited (2 of 20 left)
TEAM CAPTAIN - You’ll get a special edition poster of THE IRAN JOB, signed by Kevin and by the director and producer (see a layout below). And you’ll get the All Star Package (see above).
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $350 or more
6 backers Limited (9 of 15 left)
HEAD COACH - You’ll get a special edition Basketball signed by Kevin Sheppard, star of THE IRAN JOB. And you’ll get the All Star Package (see above).
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $500 or more
6 backers Limited (4 of 10 left)
PERSIAN CHEF - You’ll get an exclusive Persian cooking class with the producers’ Uncle Firooz – He will teach you how to cook Kevin’s favorite Persian meal – Jujeh (Chicken) Kebob – and other Persian secrets. (Travel to NYC not included). If you don’t like meat we can do a veggie version! And you’ll get the All Star Package (see above) & the special edition poster.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $750 or more
1 backer Limited (9 of 10 left)
CULTURAL ATTACHÉ - You’ll get two tickets to the world premiere (travel not included). And you'll get the All Star Package (see above) & the special edition poster. (You can exchange the world premiere screening for a regional premiere closer to your hometown or country).
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
10 backers Limited (10 of 20 left)
REFORMIST - You’ll get two tickets to the NYC premiere & after-party (travel not included). And you’ll get an Associate Producer credit on IMDb & on the film’s website. And you’ll get the All Star Package (see above) & the special edition poster.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $2,500 or more
2 backers Limited (8 of 10 left)
PERSIAN POET - You’ll be treated to an exclusive viewing of the film in the Screening Room of one of the most spectacular skyscrapers overlooking Central Park in New York City. Meet Director Till Schauder and Producer Sara Nodjoumi over cocktails and hear them recite their favorite poems by Persian poets Hafez and Saadi. See THE IRAN JOB before it's released in theaters, and discuss the film during an intimate Q&A with Till and Sara following the screening. For you and one guest. Travel not included. And you'll get the All Star Package (see above) & the special edition poster. And you’ll get an Associate Producer credit on IMDb & on the film’s website.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $4,000 or more
0 backers Limited (4 of 4 left)
PERSIAN INK - You'll get a signed, original artwork by internationally renowned Iranian artist-in-exile Nicky Nodjoumi. Ink-on-paper, 14" x 17", see sample images below. For more info about the artist please visit http://www.priskajuschkafineart.com/artists/Nicky_Nodjoumi/Nicky_Nodjoumi.php - And you’ll get the All Star Package (see above) & the special edition poster. And you’ll get an Associate Producer credit on IMDb & on the film’s website.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
1 backer
COMMUNITY SCREENING - You’ll get to host five community screenings in different cities across the U.S. with the filmmakers in attendance and available for a panel, and a speech and a Q&A with your audience. (Does not include our travel/lodging). And you’ll get the All Star Package (see above) & the special edition poster.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
1 backer Limited (9 of 10 left)
SHIRAZI - You’ll be treated to the world’s most delicious Iranian Kebobs, served with Saffron rice and Salad Shirazi, and of course a vintage bottle of Shiraz. With Kevin and the producers. For you and one guest. Venue and Date TBD, pending Kevin’s schedule. Travel not included. And you’ll get the All Star Package (see above) & the special edition poster. And you’ll get an Associate Producer credit on IMDb & on the film’s website.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $5,500 or more
1 backer Limited (2 of 3 left)
THREE PIECE - You’ll get one of only two magnificent original and signed three piece paintings by Iranian artist-in-exile, Nahid Hagigat. Please see a sample image below. And you’ll get the All Star Package (see above) & the special edition poster. And you’ll get an Associate Producer credit on IMDb & on the film’s website.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $7,500 or more
2 backers Limited (1 of 3 left)
IRANIAN ARTIST - You’ll get a magnificent original and signed artwork by Iranian artist-in-exile, Nahid Hagigat. Please pick from this collection, www.nahidhagigat.com, subject to availability. And you’ll get the All Star Package (see above) & the special edition poster. And you’ll get an Associate Producer credit on IMDb & on the film’s website.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $10,000 or more
1 backer All gone!
REVOLUTIONARY - You’ll get the original painting which was commissioned for THE IRAN JOB’s poster design and signed by internationally renowned Iranian artist-in-exile Nicky Nodjoumi with a market value of at least $15,000. (See detail of painting in trailer window. For more info about the artist please visit http://www.priskajuschkafineart.com/artists/Nicky_Nodjoumi/Nicky_Nodjoumi.php - And you’ll get the All Star Package (see above) & the special edition poster. And you’ll get an Associate Producer credit on IMDb & on the film’s website.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
