THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN 2015. A NEW CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED ON MARCH 15, 2016 CALLED "ARIEL PHENOMENON 2016". SEE YOU THERE!

While this Indiegogo campaign has ended, our fundraising efforts continue! Please visit the official film website, www.arielphenomenon.com to watch an exclusive film trailer and find out how you can help! 

To everyone who has donated, helped spread the word and supported this film in so many ways, we send our heartfelt thanks. 

Whether or not you believe there is life beyond our planet, this is an intriguing story with a cast of characters that includes a BBC war reporter, a Pulitzer prize winning Harvard psychiatrist, 60+ children and many others as well as ten plus hours of archival footage and interviews with those present in 1994 and witnesses today. This is the definitive documentary on this event.

September 16, 1994

On September 16, 1994 at the Ariel primary school in rural Zimbabwe, 60+ school children claimed to have seen a disc shaped craft land behind the school during the morning break time. Two strange beings were reported, one of which approached the group of children. There were multiple sightings of unusual aerial phenomena by thousands of Zimbabweans during this same time period.

A drawing by one of the witnesses from the Ariel School

The children were interviewed immediately thereafter by the BBC Bureau Chief for Zimbabwe, then by several other news agencies. Pulitzer Prize winning Harvard Psychiatrist Dr. John Mack traveled to Zimbabwe to interview the children in depth due to the unusual nature and validity of this event.

Dr. John Mack interviewing an Ariel School student

Although this story was initially publicized worldwide, it quickly disappeared from the public eye but not from the hearts and minds of those who witnessed it. For twenty years many of these witnesses have felt that their voices have not been heard.

Until now.

I was originally contacted by the John E. Mack Institute and asked if I would be interested in making a film about the Ariel School event. What struck me about the original interviews was the sincerity and sense of truth about what they said they had witnessed including the emotional affect. They had seen something that affected them profoundly; what it was can be debated. I traveled to the school and began to locate the now adult children, teachers and other previously unknown witnesses.

As I began to locate and interview the children, now in their 20s and early 30s, many with families of their own, it became clear that this story was not over for them. The event continues to have a deep impact on many of their lives. As one former third grader said, ”If there was one experience I would like to relive, it would be that particular experience”. Their courage, conviction and consistency, both then and now, makes it difficult to dismiss this account as child’s imagination.

It took two years to locate the first reporter on the scene. His impressions were given prior to his death in his only on camera interview for this film. In his words “It gave me a new perspective on life, the universe, and everything really. I would have not missed that for the world.”

Filmmaker Randall Nickerson on the playground of the Ariel School

What Has Been Accomplished

In an ever deepening investigation into this event, several hours of previously unseen archival footage has been discovered. I have been given unprecedented access to John Mack’s footage and archives relating to this incident. More crucial witnesses have come forward.

Post production on footage to date has begun. Award winning editor Christopher Seward (Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11", "Sicko", "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead") has joined the team in an effort to bring this film to the widest audience possible. More key witnesses have come forward and several essential people need to be interviewed. Footage needs to be licensed and another editor needs to be brought on board.

This is where you come in.

Where Does Your Money Go?

With the Indiegogo funds we’ll hire an additional editor and a producer to work with Christopher and me for a period of 3-6 months to finish the film. Additional travel will be necessary to interview remaining witnesses whose input will be important in telling this story completely. Funds will also go toward fulfilling the pledge rewards including printing and shipping charges.

Of course we don’t expect something for nothing so as a token of our thanks feel free to scroll through the rewards we’re offering including your choice of a digital download or DVD of the film upon its completion, autographed film poster, t-shirt or coffee mug with the official film logo, or your choice of a one-of-a-kind wildlife or landscape photo taken by me during my time in Africa. Visit www.randallslens.ifp3.com and select the "Ariel Phenomenon Fundraiser" gallery to view the pictures available.

   T-shirt with the official film logo 

                 Coffee mug with the official film logo (example only; final product may slightly differ)

Want to see more? Visit the film's official website, www.arielphenomenon.com to read more about this fascinating event and watch an exclusive film trailer!

Follow our progress on our Facebook page “Ariel School Documentary” and on Twitter @ArielSchoolFilm for regular updates!

If you have any questions or comments feel free to email us anytime at arielschoolfilm@gmail.com.

Those wishing to invest an amount higher than $5000 please contact Anne Krzanowski, campaign manager, at annekrz@gmail.com to schedule a time to speak with the Director.

Can’t donate but still want to know how you can help? Spread the word! Share this Indiegogo link on your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Join our journey in helping those most affected by this fascinating and controversial event have their voice. This story deserves it and may have a message for us all.

With Deepest Gratitude,

Randall Nickerson

Filmmaker

Director, "Ariel Phenomenon”