Summary
I was tired of hearing the news reports. I wanted to meet the people of Ferguson directly. So, I went. The morning I arrived, two officers had been shot in front of the Ferguson Police Department.
Needless to say, I was in for a lot more than I expected.
I didn't expect to come face to face with the cries and demands of the people and police in Ferguson. I didn't expect that I would share my own vulnerable moments of introspection as I interviewed dozens of activists and leaders. And, I certainly didn't expect to be in Baltimore, Maryland, the day Freddie Gray protests began.
Documenting this story is perhaps one of the scariest things I have done. But, I learned to release my fear and I hope you'll do the same. Because more than being a story about Ferguson, Hands Up is a story about you --
and about just what it means to be living at a time when people around the world are asking if #blacklivesmatter. I hope you'll support this project.
Film Synposis
HANDS UP the documentary captures the spirit of the #BlackLivesMatter movement as it transcends state boundaries and into the hearts of millions of Americans. The film documents the stories of clergy and activists who are igniting a passion for justice and peace.
As network news framed the conversation following the death of Michael Brown, director Zinhle Essamuah took to the streets of Ferguson, Missouri in pursuit of authentic stories from individuals on the ground. In Ferguson, clashes of gender and religion persist — How do clergy begin the process of reconciliation? Where do youth find hope?
With high profile killings and beatings of unarmed black people around the country occurring regularly, Essamuah questions the silence of her peers and recognize the importance of including her own voice in the film. Her search for answers leads the story to Maryland, where the death of Freddie Gray spurs protests and riots in Baltimore.
By embracing the complexities of race, justice, peace and guilt, this documentary highlights one of America's loudest rallying cries of the 21st century -- a cry that will echo through the minds and hearts of all who watch -- HANDS UP.
Cost
The Goal: $5,000.00. Here's what it goes towards:
I'll be partnering with local schools in urban and suburban areas, and non-profit organizations, and religious organizations to host screenings around the country. My goal is to fund my travel, so these community groups don't have to. I want their focus to be on facilitating great conversations about the Black Lives Matter movement. Zinhle intends to travel to the following locations and screen Hands Up:
• New York • Los Angeles • Chicago, Illinois • Philadelphia, PA • Washington, D.C. • St. Louis Missouri • Charleston, South Carolina • Boston, Massachusetts • Nashville, Tennessee • Baltimore, Maryland • Louisville, Kentucky • Atlanta, Georgia
Zinhle was the director, producer, editor and composer for Hands Up. As Hands Up progresses into the next phase of the film, she hopes to hire a sound technician, and production assistant to further support the project.
Funds will also support camera and sound equipment, to ensure the highest quality of cinematography.
A Project Worth Supporting
Hands Up has made significant progress since its inception in January 2015. Through your support, we can take this film even farther. Below you will find a list of awards the film has won as of September 23, 2015.
Semifinals, Student Academy Awards
Official Selection, Urban MediaMakers Film Festival (Atlanta, Georgia)
Official Selection, St. Louis International Film Festival (St. Louis, Missouri)
Official Selection, Cucalorous Film Festival (North Carolina)
Official Selection, Columbus International Film and Video Festival (Columbus, Ohio)
Development
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Wait, but isn't your film done?
The short answer is: Yes and No.
The current runtime for this film is 28 minutes. During Zinhle's time in Ferguson she collected over 500 GB of footage not including her interviews and content collected in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD. Zinhle is currently in graduate school for Media and Strategic Communication (M.A.) and intends to pursue her certificate in Documentary Filmmaking from the Documentary Center at GWU. As her final capstone and thesis project in 2016, Zinhle intends to develop a Hands Up sequel and/or a #BlackLivesMatter series of films and a Hands Up toolkit and discussion guide.
Funds from your donation will go towards those additional production costs and the continued development of the film.
What would this #BlackLivesMatter film series look like?
• Specialized interviews by topic: (ex: Role of Media, Clergy, New Civil Rights v. Old Civil Rights movements, etc.)
While in Ferguson, Essamuah collected hours of interview footage that could be broken down into shorter podcast/TEDx style segments.
• Online discussion guides and educator guides
Discussion guides would include important facts to know about Ferguson, the incarceration and killings of black men in the U.S. and general important facts about American race relations as a whole. The discussion guide will also include FAQs.
• Music Videos
Zinhle composed and produced a number of songs during her during her production of HANDS UP, beginning with her original song “Hands Up.” Zinhle would use YouTube as a promotional tool by posting music videos, featuring content from the HANDS UP film.
• Tweet-backs
Once the film has a strong following, it would be great to host “tweet-backs” where viewers of the film can tweet questions to @HandsUpDoc and use the #HandsUpDoc hashtag to keep the discussion going.
Audience
• High school students and teachers in the inner cities of major cities.
• High School students and teachers in the suburbs of major cities.
The hope is that this film will be distributed in tandem with discussion guides for teachers
(further described below). For many teachers, this will open up opportunity to discuss the
sensitive topic of race in a safe space.
• College Students — at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and
Predominantly White Institutions. This film will screen at universities and colleges with a Q & A or panel discussion to follow.
• Church Groups — This film touches on the role of clergy in the #BlackLivesMatter movement and could offer
congregations opportunities to discuss the movement and issues surrounding it.
• Politicians — City councils, Boards of Education
• Community Organizers — This film challenges audiences to take action; therefore, it’s important to get the film in the
hands of change-makers, who can use the film to change policies and address issues in the
community.
• Honestly, anyone!
The #BlackLivesMatter movement has thrived through its use of online social engagement
tools. Online interaction is a large part of how this film hopes to attract people beyond what
is listed. The first work-in-progress screening attracted random members of the D.C.
community and the space, capped at 120 people ended up being standing room only. The
hope is that HANDS UP will reach far beyond its intended audience.
Impact
The mission of HANDS UP is to bring to life the stories of Ferguson activists and clergy members who have been at the forefront of #BlackLivesMatter actions and challenge inspire audiences to question their individual roles in the emergent movement.
Other Ways You Can Help
To start, you can donate. Any amount counts. Then, you can share the story! Spread the news and connect online! Thank you, in advance, for your support of Hands Up.
HandsUpDocumentary.com
@HandsUpDoc
#HandsUpDoc
