About this project

What is Atlantic Portals about? 

Atlantic Portals documents a community’s struggle to celebrate and mourn the past, accept the present and create the future. From displacement to renewal, follow the journey of Cape Verdeans in America.

Atlantic Portals is the second film in a trilogy of documentaries about the Cape Verdean community in the Fox Point section of Providence, Rhode Island: the second oldest and largest community of Cape Verdeans in the world, outside of the Cape Verde Islands. A feature-length documentary currently in post-production, Atlantic Portals picks up where the critically acclaimed “Some Kind of Funny Porto Rican?” A Cape Verdean American Story (2006) left off, with the displacement of the community in the 1960s as a result of urban renewal and gentrification. 

Atlantic Portals documents present-day Cape Verdeans as they discuss what was lost and efforts to maintain a sense of community despite the destruction of their neighborhood. Atlantic Portals brings the story back to Cape Verde in search of “home” only to return to Fox Point with the recognition that being Cape Verdean is a state of mind, not just a zip code, and survives in our memory and in the telling of the story. 

Why this is important: Cape Verdean American History 

Cape Verdeans have been a vital part of the cultural and social history of Southeastern New England and the American immigrant experience for close to two hundred years. The Cape Verde islands, lying 240 nautical miles off the coast of West Africa, (click here for more information) remained in the backwaters of world history until 1975 when the islands gained independence from Portugal. Uninhabited prior to discovery in 1462 by the Portuguese, Cape Verdeans developed as a mix of Africans, Portuguese, and other European voyagers to the islands. 

Cape Verdeans were the first people of African descent to migrate voluntarily in large numbers to the United States. Tight-knit, self-contained Cape Verdean American immigrant communities are concentrated most heavily in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Cape Verdeans worked in Cape Cod’s cranberry bogs, as well as on the waterfronts and textile mills. Today’s population of Cape Verdeans in New England, now more than 300,000 strong, is greater than the population of Cape Verde. It is a universal story. Everyone comes from somewhere.

What do we need? 

Thanks to a generous $50,000 tax-deductible donation in 2007 we were able to pay off deferred production expenses of SKFPR, make the SKFPR DVD and shoot the remaining principal interviews and recent new community initiatives for Atlantic Portals. Now everything is “in the can,” meaning production is done, and we’re ready to jump in and start editing. We need at least $50,000 to finish post-production: editing, sound design, motion graphics, and the transfer of rare archival materials that are in very fragile condition - 8mm, super 8mm film and video footage. These archival materials were recorded by Cape Verdeans,so they are critically important because they are the voice of the community whose history was wiped out by urban renewal before it was recorded.

Our 45-Day Kickstarter Mission 

My mission by May 6th, 2011, is to meet and surpass our $50,000 target for the post-production costs to complete Atlantic Portals in time for the fall 2011 Rhode Island PBS (WSBE TV Channel 36), line up and the Cape Verde world premiere at the Cape Verde International Film Festival in October 2011 on the island of Sal, Cape Verde. 

Why should the viewer be interested? 

Atlantic Portals already has an international and regional PBS fan base waiting to see the next chapter of a story that began in the critically acclaimed and popular first feature in the series. Viewers will find out how the community is surviving and will experience the spectacular vistas of Cape Verde when Atlantic Portals goes back “home” in its journey back to Fox Point. It’s a visually stunning, warm and engaging story, highlighted by spectacular archival photos and film.  

Why should I trust you? 

We deliver. Atlantic Portals is the second in a series. SKFPR, the popular and critically acclaimed first feature in the trilogy, is a high quality, low-budget project ten years in the making. Since its release in 2006 it has gone around the world, airing on RI PBS/WSBE TV36 in 2010 and re-airing March 26, 27 2011. Atlantic Portals, pending completion, will be part of the RI PBS/WSBE TV36 2011 fall line-up. 

What’s the impact of small donations? 

Every dollar counts! We’ve received donations over the years from $5.00 on up. It‘s what people can give, and it’s from their heart. It represents to us how much this project means to the community, and that spirit keeps the project alive. And those dollars add up! 

What’s the challenge? 

Public funding for independent projects like Atlantic Portals has dried up in the last few years, and individuals who have been able to contribute in the past are hard pressed to make donations in the current economic climate. Kickstarter lets everyone give as little or as much as they feel comfortable with AND know that if the project succeeds, the FILM WILL GET DONE!! 

Why Kickstarter? 

Because this is a fantastic way to make movies! It lets us go straight to you, true fans, wherever you are in the world. “Some Kind of Funny Porto Rican?” A Cape Verdean American Story (2006) was made for very little money and received incredible acclaim. Atlantic Portals has the potential to do the same. Your donations will allow us to finish the film and preserve the history and memories of this important community of immigrants. You have the opportunity to make history – what can be better than that?

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions for those new to Kickstarter: 

Is Kickstarter a secure site?

Yes! Kickstarter is an Amazon.com partner and all payments are guaranteed secure. 

Is my pledge amount publicly displayed?

No. We get to see that, but no one else does. 

Can I increase my pledge once I’ve made it on Kickstarter? 

Absolutely! You can go in at anytime during the 45 days and adjust or “manage” your pledge. 

If I donate, when do I get my incentive? 

Incentives will only happen if our goal is met, so the first step is to help us spread the word! If we do meet our goal, we will start to assemble and ship all physical merchandise directly to you immediately after our deadline. The screenings, parties and Atlantic Portals DVDs can only happen after the film is completed so this will take a bit of time. Bear with us! We will of course keep you posted. Your donation is tax-deductible minus the market value of the gift. 

What if I don't want the incentive? I just want to support. 

Of course, and thank you! There's a button you select when you donate if you don't want your reward. 

Can we exceed our goal? 

Absolutely! Since Kickstarter is all or nothing, we have set our goal on the low end. We already have the most important thing which is the story. Now we need to complete post-production which includes preserving and transferring the archival materials we will be using in Atlantic Portals. Our documentary project relies heavily on rare, archival (old) materials by and about Cape Verdeans. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROCESS!!!

What happens if the money isn't raised in time? 

We get nothing and the film cannot be completed. Don’t let this happen! 

I am not in the US, can I still support you? 

YES! All you need is a credit card as Kickstarter is an Amazon.com partner. 

How will I get my incentives if I'm not in the US? 

We will mail them to you. If you are in Cape Verde or Europe, we may be able to deliver them to the islands personally. 

How do I find out more about the project? 

Visit our WEBSITE. We are currently in the process of building the Atlantic Portals site and will add photos, bios, film clips and much more as we get rolling on post-production! And you can follow us on facebook!

You have some artists and businesses helping you out with rewards. Where can I learn more about them?

You can visit the following websites:

Maria De Barros

Candida Rose

Cable Car Cinema

Rosinha's Restaurant

Neves Travel

Every contribution is tax-deductible (minus the market value of the gift).