THE GOAL:

A theatrical release in Los Angeles to qualify my documentary film Incident in New Baghdad for Academy Award consideration.

This year, I completed a short documentary called Incident in New Baghdad, about U.S. Army veteran Ethan McCord's life-changing experiences at the scene of one of the most notorious events of the Iraq War: an American helicopter attack that killed two Reuters journalists, along with a group of mostly unarmed civilians, on the streets of Baghdad in July 2007.  The film instantly struck a nerve when it debuted at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, where it won Best Documentary Short.  Incident in New Baghdadhas since played to a packed theatre at the Palm Springs Shortfest, and just recently was awarded Best Documentary Short at the 2011 Rhode Island International Film Festival.  Already slated for several more international film festivals in the fall, the film is clearly on a roll!

I would now like to take Incident in New Baghdad to the next level in national recognition:  a one-week theatrical release at the Sunset 5 Theatre in West Hollywood to officially qualify for an Academy Award nomination.  And I need your help to make it happen! 

I know a lot of people believe in this project, and the broader goal of enlightening the world about the real meaning of war. Now is your chance to join me in launching the film's first theatrical run, making it eligible for consideration for an Oscar.  In return, you can get some pretty cool perks, including a pre-release copy of the DVD, your name in the "Special Thanks," any number of producer credits--even a private dinner and conversation with Ethan McCord and director Jim Spione!

THE FILM:

Incident in New Baghdad details the profound inner journey of Ethan McCord and his extraordinary transformation from patriotic warrior to disillusioned vet to antiwar activist.  It is a gripping personal story with much wider implications for America and our place in the world.  On that hot Baghdad morning in 2007, McCord bore witness to devastating carnage, found and rescued two children caught in the crossfire, and soon turned against the war that he had enthusiastically joined only months before.  Denied psychological treatment in Iraq for his PTSD, McCord returned home, struggling for years with anger, confusion, and guilt over the war.  When WikiLeaks released the stunning cockpit video of the incident in April 2010, McCord was finally spurred into action, and began traveling the country, speaking out for the rights of PTSD sufferers and against the American wars in the Middle East.

WHAT CRITICS HAVE SAID:

"One powerful and disturbing film." - Filmmaker Magazine

"A terrifying and powerful reminder that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue and that every American is involved.  It jolted me awake." - Josh Fox, Director, GASLAND

"A moving short... truly not worth missing." - ArtInfo

"A film that bravely explores the residual effects of experiencing trauma in war in a truthful and fearless manner." - Tribeca Film Festival Jury

"A powerful and important film that must be seen." - George T. Marshall, Executive Director, Rhode Island International Film Festival

THE FILMMAKER:

Jim Spione is an independent filmmaker based in New York City.  He has made a number of acclaimed documentary and fiction films over the past 20 years.  More details in the bio below!