Beneath our Feet: A Documentary
Donation protected
Hello! I'm Melissa, a wife, a mother and a documentary filmmaker. Ten years ago I set out to make a documentary about the epidemic of children living on the streets of Ukraine. At the time, the only title I held was filmmaker. Wife and mother came later, but even though many things in life took my attention, filmmaker always remained.
Our Story
In the winter of 2007, with the support of friends and family, my co-director and I set out for Ukraine for a month of non-stop filming and adventure. We crawled through tight spaces in search of the underground homes of these children. We traveled hours by train to the gypsy villages they came from. We won their trust in order to tell their stories and returned home with over 30 hours of footage waiting to be made into a film.
Through incredibly unfortunate circumstances my co-director took ill soon after our return and was no longer able to be involved in the project. The years in turn added their own set of distractions and the footage we brought home stayed on the shelf, waiting to be translated. At this time, all we have to show for it is a trailer I cut soon after our return. You can watch it here:
Ever since we returned home from Ukraine it has always been my intention to finish this film in order that the stories of these children could be told. Through this documentary I hope a greater understanding of the problems that these children face all over the world will be reached. One can't help what they don't understand, but with understanding, action can take place.
How You Can Help
Ten years after initial filming I am finally at a place where I can finish this film. The first step is to get the footage translated, which is no small task. There is Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy dialects and a whole lot of local street slang. The funds raised from this campaign will go towards the translation fees of 30+ hours of footage. The sooner we get the funds the sooner we can begin editing this film and finally tell this story.
Why Make a Film?
We live in an incredibly visual world. If you can't see something, then it doesn't exist. My hope is to put the story of these children out for all the world to see so it can't be ignored. Action requires knowledge and knowledge requires exposure. I hope this film will be the exposure people need in order to act.
Your Contributions in Action
- Initial funds will be used to pay professional fees for translation services
- Once the project is translated there is the possibility to return to Ukraine and follow up with the children we filmed ten years ago
- Any additional funds will be used to fund our return trip, pay for gear and eventual distribution costs
Any amount you can contribute is greatly appreciated! I am forever grateful to those that have helped us make this film along the way and continue to give thanks to all of our new supporters. Thank you all for your generous donations.
Please consider helping us finish this documentary and tell the story of the Ukrainian street kids of Kiev. With greater understanding and knowledge of the problem we can begin to offer resources and support in order to enact change.
Thank you!
Our Story
In the winter of 2007, with the support of friends and family, my co-director and I set out for Ukraine for a month of non-stop filming and adventure. We crawled through tight spaces in search of the underground homes of these children. We traveled hours by train to the gypsy villages they came from. We won their trust in order to tell their stories and returned home with over 30 hours of footage waiting to be made into a film.
Through incredibly unfortunate circumstances my co-director took ill soon after our return and was no longer able to be involved in the project. The years in turn added their own set of distractions and the footage we brought home stayed on the shelf, waiting to be translated. At this time, all we have to show for it is a trailer I cut soon after our return. You can watch it here:
Ever since we returned home from Ukraine it has always been my intention to finish this film in order that the stories of these children could be told. Through this documentary I hope a greater understanding of the problems that these children face all over the world will be reached. One can't help what they don't understand, but with understanding, action can take place.
How You Can Help
Ten years after initial filming I am finally at a place where I can finish this film. The first step is to get the footage translated, which is no small task. There is Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy dialects and a whole lot of local street slang. The funds raised from this campaign will go towards the translation fees of 30+ hours of footage. The sooner we get the funds the sooner we can begin editing this film and finally tell this story.
Why Make a Film?
We live in an incredibly visual world. If you can't see something, then it doesn't exist. My hope is to put the story of these children out for all the world to see so it can't be ignored. Action requires knowledge and knowledge requires exposure. I hope this film will be the exposure people need in order to act.
Your Contributions in Action
- Initial funds will be used to pay professional fees for translation services
- Once the project is translated there is the possibility to return to Ukraine and follow up with the children we filmed ten years ago
- Any additional funds will be used to fund our return trip, pay for gear and eventual distribution costs
Any amount you can contribute is greatly appreciated! I am forever grateful to those that have helped us make this film along the way and continue to give thanks to all of our new supporters. Thank you all for your generous donations.
Please consider helping us finish this documentary and tell the story of the Ukrainian street kids of Kiev. With greater understanding and knowledge of the problem we can begin to offer resources and support in order to enact change.
Thank you!
Organizer
Melissa Hollingsworth
Organizer
Decatur, GA
