Canadian international documentary festival Hot Docs has announced the launch of Doc Ignite’s newest crowd-funding campaign, featuring 30 Ghosts, a documentary chronicling the ups and downs in the life of a small-town Ontario paranormal investigator.
Doc Ignite is an online crowd-funding service that assists independent Canadian documentary filmmakers in building audiences and raising support for projects in development.
Produced and directed by Sean Cisterna, and executive produced by Avi Federgreen, 30 Ghosts is aiming to raise $15,000 in production funds over the next 37 days through its Doc Ignite campaign. The filmmakers will offer followers a behind-the-scenes look at their doc, and provide supporters incentives in exchange for their financial pledges.
“Doc Ignite is about helping filmmakers overcome hurdles, and this doc is all about conquering obstacles and realising your dream,’ says Elizabeth Radshaw, Hot Docs Forum and Market Director. “We hope Doc Ignite can help the incredibly talented filmmaking team behind 30 Ghosts finance the difficult final stages of production.’
30 Ghosts follows Kim Hadfield, a rural Ontario horse farmer and part-time paranormal investigator, through a year of intense struggle as she pursues her dream of proving the existence of ghosts. Hadfield and her troupe – the Halton Paranormal Group – start investigating abandoned houses and the homes of local eccentrics, but after they target large public buildings, media attention and their profile explode. As Hadfield continues her fervid pursuit of the paranormal, her personal life suffers and her livelihood is threatened. 30 Ghosts captures the ambition and obsession that drive one woman’s quest to capture something that may not exist, with results that are at times tragic, bizarre, comical and genuinely spooky.
Having already invested personal savings towards principal photography, the filmmakers are now seeking additional funds to cover post-production costs, preparing the film to screen at festivals and to share Kim’s story with paranormal enthusiasts around the world.
Through the Doc Ignite crowd-funding service, those interested in supporting 30 GHOSTS can learn about the project and follow its progress through frequent blog and video posts. Followers can also pledge support in exchange for incentives that range from modelling as ghosts for the official 30 Ghosts poster to one year memberships in Halton Paranormal Group. Pledges can be made through Doc Ignite (http://www.hotdocs.ca/docignite). Follow 30 Ghosts on Twitter (http://twitter.com/30GhostsMovie) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/30GhostsMovie).
The first six projects featured on Doc Ignite will receive an additional boost: Toronto’s Open Roof Films, presenters of the popular summer outdoor film and music series Open Roof Festival (www.openrooffestival.com), has generously ignited each campaign with a $1000 prize.
Doc Ignite was made possible by the support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation, Telefilm Canada, the City of Toronto, and the Toronto Community Foundation.
