UPDATE 3/3:  We couldn't have made this film without the incredible collaboration of many extraordinary and talented individuals, and we hope you will join in our collective effort. Everyone who donates will be thanked on our website, and backers at the $50 level will be credited in our film AND - THIS JUST IN - EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR donated through the end of our campaign WILL BE MATCHED!

"In an industry where words like "brave" are freely tossed around,'The Square' soberly redefines the term. The movie also, it should be said, bolsters the claim that, as international media bureaus are shrinking, local documentarians with handheld cameras are filling the void."

- Steven Zeitchik, Los Angeles Times

Hi Kickstarters – 

I’m Jehane Noujaim, the director of Control Room, Startup.com, the TEDprize inspired Pangea Day and now - THE SQUARE (made with so many other inspiring and amazing collaborators). THE SQUARE is a film about a group of young Egyptians brought together by a revolution, who find a new sense of hope for their country. THE SQUARE celebrates the process of a truly democratic movement as it unfolds in real time.

The revolution is far from over, we still have a lot of work to do to complete our film the way we want to. We’re off to a great start - we won the World Documentary Audience Award at Sundance 2013, but our mission to inspire the world is just beginning. 

We are asking you, the Kickstarter community, to help finish our film. There are so many ways we want to make sure this film really comes to life after its debut at Sundance. We hope to raise the funds to return to the edit for 6 to 8 weeks to incorporate fully the recent events unfolding, to complete a full score for the film, and to finish with a sound and color mix that will make the experience as powerful in the theater as it was in the street. 

It's been two years since we began this incredible project. We've come this far and are committed to continue because we believe this is a story that needs to be shared. Our crew has been arrested, shot at, and made huge sacrifices - because this is a story that they want the world to watch. 

Join us now. By backing this film, you’ll be doing much more than supporting a film on Kickstarter, you’ll be contributing to spreading the voice of freedom and democracy - of hope and of progress. We can't wait to show this film to the world. 

As they say in the film, “No one can tell our stories except for us.” We are duty-bound to ensure that the story of Tahrir Square is told by the people who lived it. 

HELP GET THE REAL STORY OUT. 

Sincerely,

- Jehane Noujaim, Director, THE SQUARE

PS- While editing the film in Cairo artist Ammar Abo Bakr and his crew El Moshir & Ziad painted a new mural each day that represented the major events of the revolution in vivid color. Here's a video of the wall in progress. We will be sending pieces of the wall to 10 backers who pledge $10,000 for their own artifact from The Square (see image below). 

FROM OUR TEAM:

The movement in Tahrir Square started with a small group of people who believed in something enough to turn it into a reality. Not only is that belief is at the core to what makes a revolution; it’s also the central principle of Kickstarter. That’s why we’re here. People of Kickstarter, we are asking for your support, not just in funds, but in spirit as well. We’re talking to you, too, $5 donors! It begins with you ALL. 

JUST IN! 

We've got this stencil that represents one of the core beliefs of the team - that our cameras are our weapons. If you're inspired, print this out and put it up! Send us a tweet with #SeeTheSquare or @TheSquareFilm! 

PS Are you interested in further supporting the film, or even after Kickstarter is over? Get in touch with the team directly at thesquarefilm@gmail.com. Or talk to us in the comments or messages on Kickstarter.

Find THE SQUARE on:

Facebook - Facebook.com/TheSquareFilm
Twitter - Twitter.com/TheSquareFilm

We're still in the process of making the prizing, but here is the Square Poster!