About this project
Please click on the "Updates" tab at the top to see the latest video uploads about the film.
WE DID IT!
Well everyone, thanks to your undying love, support, and generosity, HAPPY has finally reached its goal...and almost a day ahead of time! We're so grateful for everything you've done. With the money we've raised here, we can finally finish the film's music, sound mixing, graphics, and animation, as well as give all of you some wonderful awards.
But the journey doesn't end here! With the fans and outreach we've achieved here on Kickstarter, we can hopefully spread happiness to many others. So please be sure to stick with us! We've come a long ways making this film, and we want the world to be able to see and learn from it.
Thank you so much! The HAPPY Team
Why a Documentary on Happiness?
A friend of mine told me about a New York Times article that said that while America is one of the richest countries in the world, we are nowhere near the happiest. Then I learned that the Western scientific approach to mental health and well being focuses more on treating sadness and depression than it does on cultivating strengths and happiness. But that is changing. There is a new field of psychology called "positive psychology" being pioneered by many of the leading psychiatrists and neuro-scientists around the world.
So for the past 4 years my fellow filmmakers and I traveled the globe to 14 countries, from India to Namibia and all across the US, on a journey to uncover the mysteries of our most coveted emotion. We interviewed leading happiness researchers and spoke with amazing people we met along the way in order to demystify the role that happiness plays in our lives and to learn how to cultivate it for ourselves.
This film is a non-profit documentary on happiness, and with your generosity we will be able to share our experiences.
We Truly Need Your Help...
We have come so far! All of the footage has been shot and edited...we are just about at the finish line...and we need finishing funds to get our film completed and out into the world. We are so close!
HELP US FINISH OUR FILM
Your donation will help us pay for the composing and recording of an original music score as well as for professional graphics and animation for the film. We're offering some pretty cool rewards for any donation that you can possibly make - large or small.
If you'd rather receive a tax write-off for your contribution, please write a check to our fiscal sponsor:
"Creative Visions Foundation" with the words "HAPPY documentary" in the Memo and mail to:
CREATIVE VISIONS FOUNDATION
3216 Nebraska Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Thank you very much for your support and for taking the time to read this. We wouldn't be able to finish this film without you. -Roko
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
377
Backers
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 10, 2010.
Pledge $5 or more
FEEL-GOOD HAPPY PACKAGE - Receive exclusive updates about the film and screenings in addition to a signed limited edition movie postcard (auto-graphed by academy award nominated director).
Pledge $10 or more
VIP ONLINE SCREENING PACKAGE - Receive all of the above and an exclusive look at the film prior to release via a private online screening room. Once the film is ready, we will provide you with the screening room url, username & password to view the film.
Pledge $15 or more
VIP ONLINE SCREENING AND DIGITAL GIFT PACKAGE - Receive all of the above and your very own digital download of the film as soon as it is released.
Pledge $25 or more
VIP + LIMITED EDITION DVD PACKAGE - Receive all the above, and a pre-release, special edition DVD of the film (limited edition).
Pledge $50 or more
VIP + LIMITED EDITION DVD PLUS PACKAGE - Receive all of the above and an autographed limited edition movie poster.
Pledge $100 or more
VIP + LIMITED EDITION COMPLETE PACKAGE - Receive all of above and a coupon for a free copy of “Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth” by Ed Diener and Robert Biswas-Diener, featured in the film. (S&H for book only not included).
Pledge $250 or more
VIP + COMPLETE PACKAGE + TEST AUDIENCE/CREDIT - Receive all of the above, and the opportunity to participate in the creation of the film as our first test audience. Once we have completed a full cut of the film, we will send you a private screening link to view online, along with a reaction card for you to fill out and help us fine tune the film. Also, you will be listed in the "Special Thanks" credits in the film.
Pledge $500 or more
CADILLAC COLLECTORS PACKAGE - Receive all of the above and an autographed copy of the Oscar nominated film, Genghis Blues (Signed by the Award-winning filmmakers).
Pledge $750 or more
CADILLAC SUPREME COLLECTORS PACKAGE - Receive all of the above and a copy of the multi-award winning documentaries, Beyond the Call (autographed by Academy Award nominated filmmaker, Adrian Belic) and Long Night’s Journey Into Day.
Pledge $1,000 or more
SPECIAL DIRECTOR'S PACKAGE - Oscar nominated director Roko Belic will screen up to a 3 hr rough cut of your film project and give written feedback. (Also includes reward packages up through $750 donation range).
Pledge $2,000 or more
SPECIAL DIRECTOR'S PRIVATE CONSULT PACKAGE - Receive a 1 hour phone consult regarding your film project by Roko Belic. (Also includes reward packages up through $750 donation range).
Pledge $5,000 or more
WORLD PREMIERE - DIRECTOR'S SPECIAL GUEST PACKAGE - Receive two tickets to the world premiere screening of the film and dinner with the director at festival or in Los Angeles. (Also includes reward packages up through $750 donation range).
Project By
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Born to Czechoslovak and Yugoslav parents in America, Roko Belic is an independent filmmaker who’s directorial debut, Genghis Blues (1999), was nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary feature. The entire film was made using home video cameras purchased on his and his brother’s credit cards. Roko’s multinational upbringing, together with his mother’s encouragement to explore the world through television documentaries, set the foundation for Belic’s passion and vision as a documentary filmmaker.
All of Roko’s films have been grassroots projects and have been made possible because of the generous support of friends, family and fans.
Roko’s current project, HAPPY, is a feature documentary that deals with many of the fundamental issues we face in today’s society. How do we balance the allure of money, fame and social status with our needs for good relationships, health and a sense of contentment? Through powerful interviews and a global journey the film seeks to share the wisdom found in traditional cultures and from the cutting edge science that is now, for the first time, exploring human happiness. He hopes that the lessons learned through the film can not only help individuals find more peace and contentment in their own lives, but that the shift toward happiness will lead us to be more compassionate, less destructive and better citizens of the world.
Roko is in the process of trying to raise money to finish his film, HAPPY.
