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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 18, 2012.

"Heart-stopping!" "Delicious!" "Thank you!"

Update #2 · Jun 22, 2012 · 3 comments

Dear friends,

WOW—we are just blown away—so much is happening here on our end and we are pleased to be able to share it with you! 

FIRST: The world premiere at LAFF on Saturday was thrilling—the film played to a sold out theater and we were amazed to see all that beautiful archival birth footage projected onto the mile-high screens. As one friend said, “Your movie even made the DUDES CRY!” and it was true, there were not many dry eyes in the house. We heard words like “healing,” “thank you,” and “it made me want to use a midwife,” over and over. Ina May called the film “Delicious!” (A moment we will remember for the rest of our lives: after one of the births, the entire audience spontaneously burst into applause! Can you imagine if you had 300 people clapping when you delivered?!) 

SECOND: Because of the overwhelming response, and because our local NPR reviewer called the film “heart-stopping” and labeled it “THE must-see movie” of the entire Festival, LAFF added an additional screening, for this coming Saturday night, the 23rd, at 7:20pm. If you have friend in the Los Angeles area, please send them this link and tell them to come on out: http://filmguide.lafilmfest.com/tixSYS/2012/films/3042 

THIRD: After only two and a half weeks, we have nearly reached our first fundraising goal of $50,000. WE ARE HUMBLED BY AND GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT! It looks like we just might make it, and maybe—fingers crossed--go over our target, which will allow us to further develop our plans for wide distribution. We will be able to create a truly meaningful educational program to accompany the film, and we will be able to pay many of our outstanding bills. Early on, WE COMMITTED OURSELVES TO SHOWING INTERVENTION-FREE BIRTH WITHOUT CENSORSHIP, which makes this film difficult for mainstream distributors to accept and understand, but we are sure that with your ongoing help, we can show the world what women’s bodies can do! 

We want people to know that they can still be a part of this revolution, so please continue what you have already been doing—post the link below wherever you can, let folks know that they can donate and pre-order their DVDs, and tell them why you think this film is important:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/birthstory/birth-story-pushes-on-to-the-los-angeles-film-fest 

 You cannot know how much your love and support sustain us! 

 Sara and Mary 

PS: we are working on a video of the premiere and will send it your way soon! Pictured below: Co-director Sara Lamm, Farm Midwife Pamela Hunt, Co-director Mary Wigmore, producer Kate Roughan, and Ina May Gaskin. 

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Comments

    1. Barrel%20jumpers%20%20musician's%20care%20fundraiser.small

      Creator The Barrel Jumpers on June 24, 2012

      yaaaaaaaaaaay!!!

    2. Missing_small

      Creator Sara Vale on June 24, 2012

      How amazing! :) way to go!!!! Looking fwd to more great updates!

    3. Missing_small

      Creator carla lalli music on June 22, 2012

      stunning! go team go!!! so proud and excited for you all.

1,173
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Funding period
Jun 3, 2012 - Jul 18, 2012 (45 days)

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  • Pledge $1 or more

    35 backers

    BECOME AN OUTREACH MOVIE DOULA: Tweet, post, blog, call, telegraph, and use smoke signals to tell the world about this film. Help us partner with groups that are interested in hosting community screenings. We will holler your name out loud from the tops of the Hollywood Hills. Contact us directly and we'll figure out how we can work together!

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $10 or more

    60 backers

    Official commemorative "I helped make Birth Story" postcard, signed by the directors, and your name on our website donor page.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $25 or more

    685 backers

    Be the first to receive a copy of the DVD, hot off the presses, as soon as we have them available! (International Orders: Please add $15 for shipping.)

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $40 or more

    99 backers

    A DVD and a "Your body is Not a Lemon!" Birth Story button. International Orders: Please add $15 for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $60 or more

    61 backers

    JUST ADDED! A LIMITED-EDITION, signed-by-the-filmmakers POSTER, 14x22, emblazoned with Ina May's slogan "YOUR BODY IS NOT A LEMON," beautifully screen printed at LA's historic Colby Printing! Will inspire you and every woman who sees it hanging on your wall! (also includes the buttons, and the DVD.)

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $75 or more

    58 backers

    A special Birth Story tote bag, plus the DVD and two "Your Body is Not a Lemon" Birth Story buttons (one to share!) International Orders: Please add $15 for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $150 or more

    40 backers

    ALL OF THE ABOVE + An autographed copy of Ina May's newest book, Birth Matters. International Orders: Please add $15 for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $250 or more

    6 backers

    ALL OF THE ABOVE + A limited edition Birth Story movie poster, signed by the filmmakers and Ina May. International Orders: Please add $15 for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $250 or more

    21 backers

    All of the above plus AN OFFICIAL EDUCATIONAL LICENSE TO SCREEN THE FILM IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS--whether you specialize in childbirth education, women's studies, public health, or prenatal yoga, you will receive the ongoing, official license to screen the film in classrooms, plus the DVD and educational package.

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $350 or more

    0 backers

    MENTORING PHONE CALL WITH ONE OF THE DIRECTORS--Have a film you want to make but don't know how to get it off the ground? Already mid-project but hitting some road bumps? Not interested in film, but wanting to talk about the challenges of balancing mothering and art-making? Sara or Mary will call you to listen and discuss! (Plus, you will receive the tote, the buttons, and the DVD!) International Orders: Please add $15 for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  • Pledge $500 or more

    4 backers

    All of the above + HOST YOUR OWN PUBLIC SCREENING OF THE FILM--A perfect awareness or fundraiser for your birth organization or within your own community. Your favorite group can be among the first outside Film Festivals to publicly screen the film. Includes a community screener package, educational materials, and DVD. Plus, your name or group on our donor page. (Some restrictions may apply with regard to size of venue and date of event--email us to be sure).

    Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
  • Pledge $750 or more

    1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)

    An inspiring portrait of Ina May as a young woman, printed and signed by the photographer. Ina May keeps an image of Grand Midwife Margaret Charles Smith in her bedroom--you can keep a photo of Ina May! A great reminder of the hard work and dedication of midwives everywhere. Plus, a tote bag, the magic buttons, and of course, a DVD.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $750 or more

    0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)

    A historic photograph, printed and signed by the photographer, of Ina May and her colleagues, sitting on Ina May's bed, at a meeting of the Farm Midwifery Crew. A great reminder of what women can do when we work together! Plus, a tote bag, the magic buttons, and of course, a DVD.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $1,000 or more

    4 backers All gone!

    A rare hardcover copy of the second printing of Spiritual Midwifery, complete with colorful and beautiful center fold-out, subsequently cut from later editions, and featured in the film. Signed by Ina May. Plus, a tote bag, the magic buttons, and of course, a DVD.

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $1,500 or more

    1 backer Limited (6 of 7 left)

    YOUR NAME IN OUR SPECIAL THANKS, PLUS--a rare, beautifully-framed print, signed and numbered by the artist and former Farm resident Bernice Davidson, of the early center-foldout image from the original Spiritual Midwifery featured in the film. It captures the incredible energy of birth, in unique Farm style. (Plus, a tote bag, the magic buttons, and of course, a DVD.)

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $5,000 or more

    1 backer

    BECOME AN OFFICIAL GODMOTHER (or Godfather). Your name will appear as such in our end credits for all future screenings, including television broadcast, educational, and on the DVD. You will be celebrated on our donor page, and we will think about you every day for the rest of our lives. Plus, you will get that special tote bag, and the special buttons (a bunch of em) and the DVD--hooray!

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013
  • Pledge $10,000 or more

    1 backer

    BECOME AN ASSOCIATE PRODUCER and the filmmakers will personally deliver your baby! (Just kidding--whew) Your name will appear in our end credits for all future screenings, including television broadcast, educational, DVD and on IMDB. We will celebrate you on our donor page, and write you ten thousand deeply felt thank you letters (or at least four) plus Director Mary Wigmore, who is also a painter, will send you a one-of-a-kind painting of one of the Farm Buses! (You will also receive a tote bag, several magic buttons, and a DVD!)

    Estimated delivery: Apr 2013

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