A transnational transgender documentary film project
FOR A LIMITED TIME: Watch the first 20 minutes of Rites of Passage on vimeo! http://vimeo.com/32949052
The Project
Mohammed to Maya (AKA Rites of Passage) is an Audience Award-winning film project which documents the gender transformation of Maya Jafer, known to her blood relatives as Mohammed Jafer.
As a devout Muslim, son of an abusive father, immigrant from India (Chennai) to the US, holistic medicine practitioner, and holder of TWO (not one) doctorates, Maya has had to meet MANY challenges, and fight to be the person that she REALLY is.
Shot in vérité style, this film is an honest and truthful look at Maya's journey while undergoing her own rite of passage towards fully realized self-hood.
The Documentary
Rites of Passage is made in two parts. Part 1 documents everything leading up to the surgery. Part 2 documents everything after. Both combined make up a feature length documentary, about the right size for television broadcasting.
Part 1 (approx. 20 minutes) is finished into a short the recently won AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD at the Los Angeles Transgender Film Festival.
Part 2 (approx. 30 minutes) NEEDS TO GET DONE.
Help this project get finished so we can put it on international television!
The Campaign
To reach the next level, we need YOUR help to fund specific areas of post-production. These include:
editor - approximately $2500
sound design/mix - approx. $1500
color correction - approx. $1600
credits - approx. $200
further promotion at film festivals - approx. $300
translation into other languages - varies
As you can see, it takes a little over $6,000 to get this done. We won’t aim that high on this campaign, but we hope that you will be able to help us achieve this goal by making a donation.
Over the last year, 95% of this project has been funded out of our own pockets, and survived because of the generosity of friends (you know who you are!). Please help us reach the next step of production.
Successes
Rites of Passage Part 1 premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival on November 6th, 2011 (EID AL ADHA), where it won AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD - Best Short Film.
Part 1 also recently made its NYC debut at the Williamsburg Indie Film Festival, and just began a tour of college campuses all around California.
Right now, Rites of Passage is having THREE translations of Part 1 being made. One in Hindi, one in Urdu, and one in Punjabi, for consideration in Indian film festivals. Please contact us if you wish to volunteer to translate into another language!
Project Mission
Rites of Passage is the first comprehensive documentary of its kind featuring the life of a Muslim transgender from india as she goes through sex change.
With Maya's unique story on tape, we believe this project has the power to ignite real social change on a global level. Rites of Passage is not just about Maya, but about the realities transgenders, and minorities of all identifications, face ALL OVER THE WORLD.
Thank you for taking time to check out our project. Please continue to revisit our campaign site for updates!
If you have not already, “like” Rites of Passage Movie @ facebook.com/ritesofpassagemovie, to get personal updates from the ROP Doc team, including Maya herself.
SPREAD THE WORD about this movie and the mission!
SHARE the link!
If you have any questions, contact Jeff Roy: jeff.roy@live.com
or
violinwallah@gmail.com
Khuda Hafez
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
114
Backers
$7,100
pledged of $5,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Nov 14, 2011 -
Dec 19, 2011
(35 days)
Pledge $5 or more
8 backers
Your name on the webpage as a supporter of the Rites of Passage movement for international TRANSGENDER AWARENESS. (You can also anonymously give, if you're shy.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2011Pledge $10 or more
32 backers
Download of the completed film + above.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $25 or more
7 backers
Everything above + personalized Rites of Passage - Transgender Awareness postcard thanking you for your support.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $35 or more
21 backers
SIGNED pre-release DVD of the completed film + thank you in the final credits of the film (if desired) + postcard.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $50 or more
16 backers
SIGNED TWO DISC DVD with additional interviews and commentary from Maya and Jeff, photographs, and trailer + thank you in the final credits + postcard.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $100 or more
12 backers
SPECIAL INVITATION to the Rites of Passage private launch party (Los Angeles, Mumbai, and other locations TBA; travel not included) + SIGNED TWO DISC DVD + thank you in the final credits + postcard.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $200 or more
1 backer
Unreleased SOUNDTRACK featuring original music from LGBT artists, with signed, hand-made CD cover* + SIGNED Rites of Passage poster + everything at $100. *See facebook.com/ritesofpassagemovie for a list of contributing artists!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
Private holistic medicine consultation from Maya, time and location to be negotiated (Los Angeles preferred; travel not included) + everything at $200.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $750 or more
2 backers
Private violin concert from filmmaker Jeff Roy, time and location to be negotiated (Los Angeles preferred; travel not included) + everything at $200.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
1 backer
A pair of seats at a traditional Indian food dinner party with Maya and Jeff, including a violin concert from Jeff. The dinner will take place in January 2012 in Los Angeles (travel not included) + everything at $200.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers
A pair of seats at a traditional Indian dance concert (with dinner) featuring Maya. The concert will take place in February 2012 in Los Angeles (travel not included) + Associate Producer credit in the film* + everything at $200. *Details about the Associate Producer credit will be sent to you individually.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $3,000 or more
0 backers
DAY OF BEAUTY for two with Maya, including make-up tutorial, henna tattooing, a lesson on sari wearing (will supply), rose bath, facial + Producer credit in the film* + tickets to dance concert, dinner party, OR violin concert + everything at $200. (travel not included) *Details about the Producer credit will be sent to you individually.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $3,000 or more
0 backers
DAY OF FUN with Maya and Jeff (together or separate), with your choice of activities, including dinner, movie, music lesson, or dance lesson + Producer credit in the film* + tickets to dance concert, dinner party, OR violin concert + everything at $200. (travel not included) *Details about the Producer credit will be sent to you individually.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers
You just helped finance post-production! Lots and lots of love from us, and a lifetime of memories to share with Maya and Jeff + Executive Producer credit in the film* + your choice of benefits at $3000 + everything at $200. *Details about the Executive Producer credit will be sent to you individually.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
