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Kensington Market: The First 150 Years

Capturing Kensington Market's rich 150 year history, diversity and artful past, present and future.

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Kensington Market: The First 150 Years

Kensington Market: The First 150 Years

Kensington Market: The First 150 Years

Kensington Market: The First 150 Years

Kensington Market: The First 150 Years

Capturing Kensington Market's rich 150 year history, diversity and artful past, present and future.

Capturing Kensington Market's rich 150 year history, diversity and artful past, present and future.

Capturing Kensington Market's rich 150 year history, diversity and artful past, present and future.

Capturing Kensington Market's rich 150 year history, diversity and artful past, present and future.

Stuart Clarfield
Stuart Clarfield
Stuart Clarfield
Stuart Clarfield
4 Campaigns |
Toronto, Canada
$2,127 USD $2,127 USD 17 backers
25% of $8,429 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 4 Projects Mountain Filled 4 Projects

Our Project

Kensington Market: The FIRST 150 Years  is a feature documentary that will tell the 150 year story of Toronto’s Kensington Market.  Its the story of the many lives of the market village, as its grown and been re-envisioned through the decades.

We will share  stories of the generations who have lived here in the past, those that live here today and explore the forces that are impacting the Market’s future.

Kensington Market has long been one of the most unique neighbourhoods in Toronto, in Canada, and in fact – the world.  Over the years, this six-block market in Toronto’s downtown core has been a harbour of safety for new immigrants to Canada from Jewish, Portuguese, Caribbean, Eastern European and Asian communities.  For many, Kensington is the first step in their journey to Canada.

Today, Kensington is a delightful, colourful alternative to the skyscraper-draped metropolis that is growing up around it. Despite its numerous incarnations, the market manages to hold onto its uniquely eclectic charm and free-spirited nature, but, as always, the times are changing.

We are inspired to make this film now, as the market is in the crossroads between what it has been and what it will become.  Every month, a heritage business leaves the market. Some of the oldest members of the community are passing on and now is the time to capture their stories so we can share them into the future.  And its an amazingly rich story, from all over the globe, a story of community and creativity.

The newest arrivals in the neighbourhood are not arriving with a single suitcase - but come in construction cranes and high-rise condo towers.  The market is again facing a state of change and who knows where it will take it. We want to capture the personality and colour of the Market now as we know it and love it, and share some of the magic for the whole community to share and cherish. 

The film includes interviews, archival material, community activities and events. Most of all, it will include the people, arts and personalities of Kensington Market. 


The Impact

Kensington Market: The First 150 Years will knit together many unique and heartfelt journeys.  We will meet the people of the market, and illuminate the vibrant roots of this neighbourhood, and this city at large.  The story of Kensington mirrors the story of Canada.  We will share it with audiences and students in Toronto and across Canada.  

This project is more than just a film – we hope it also becomes a digital movement. The twenty-first century documentary is a platform for connecting people and engaging them in conversation and dialogue.  It is an online community.  We’re telling the story of the market, but we also want the community to share their stories and impressions of Kensington.  

Neighbourhoods are built on the people who live within them and the whole city has had a deep love affair with Kensington.  There’s no guarantee that the market we know today will be around forever.  This film will act as a digital archive for the rich history of our market and our city. 

It’s going to start a conversation about what has made Kensington special, beloved - and what we will choose to protect & cherish as the city mushrooms up around it.

Project Needs and How You Can Help

Raising our fundraising goal of $12,000 will allow us to invest in shooting interviews and events.  Costs include renting equipment and paying modest production crew fees for shooting days.  Your sponsorship helps us pay for the first phase of the film’s production.  Funds will also cover archival research and image capture so we can bring to life images that span over 150 years of Market history.

This phase of fundraising will go a long way towards ensuring this documentary will complete production and allow us to show future funders material to secure post production resources.

In addition to financial support, we also invite you to join us in other ways.

If you have roots in the market, or a special tie to it that you think is worth sharing, we’d love to hear your story.  We are looking for archival film, video and photos, video and other materials that show the different eras of the market.  Please email us at Kensington150@gmail.com 

We want this project to be the best it can be. We want it to be something the community can truly be proud of and connect to – but we can’t do it alone.

Every dollar you provide brings us closer to completing the film and helping us share it for generations to come. We’re grateful for all support and any help is greatly welcomed and appreciated.  Please check out our perks to see the Kensington inspired gifts we’ve set aside for you.

Thank you fellow Kensington supporters!  We look forward to sharing our stories of Kensington with you soon!

From the folks at The Mission Media Company

Stuart Clarfield, Director & Producer
Madelaine Sawyers McKechnie, Production Manager                                                   Steven McDonnell DP                                                                                                               Joshua Henderson Special Assignment DP                                                                           Sean Singh Sound Recordist & Designer                                                                            Laura Fry, Social Media & Campaign Manager                                                                                          
                                                           





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Choose your Perk

Project Supporter

Currency Conversion $18 USD
$25 CAD
For supporting our project, we will shout-out our thanks for your support (send us your social handles)! You will also receive a collector postcard and our Kensington button.
Estimated Shipping
May 2016
2 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Kensington Proud

Currency Conversion $35 USD
$50 CAD
Receive a custom-designed “Kensington Market 150” T-shirt to show your support for this project and the legacy of the Market. You will also receive a Social Media Shout-Out and our Postcard perk!
Estimated Shipping
May 2016
3 out of 100 of claimed
Ships to European Union, Canada, United States of America

Film Fan

Currency Conversion $53 USD
$75 CAD
To thank you for helping make this film happen, you will receive a personalized signed collectors copy of the DVD of the film upon its completion.
Estimated Shipping
December 2016
1 out of 40 of claimed
Ships to European Union, Canada, United States of America

Colours of Kensington

Currency Conversion $70 USD
$99 CAD
Receive a copy of the ‘United Colours of Kensington Market’ colouring book from Keep 6. This adult colouring book features illustrations of Kensington Market’s buildings, shops and streets by local artist Shengyu Cai . Also receive the Social Media Shout-Out and Postcard perk. A great custom Kensington Collectible!
Estimated Shipping
May 2016
0 out of 12 of claimed
Ships to European Union, Canada, United States of America

Kensington Mashup

Currency Conversion $70 USD
$99 CAD
Receive a surprise gift pack of swag from the market. A surprise mix of Foodie, Culture or Crafty market options. Also receive the Social Media Shout-Out and Postcard perk. Note – your Mashup will be shipped via mail.
Estimated Shipping
May 2016
0 out of 12 of claimed
Ships to European Union, Canada, United States of America

Project Fan Pack

Currency Conversion $105 USD
$150 CAD
By stepping up to support our project, you will receive a personalized signed DVD of the film upon its completion, our custom designed “Kensington Market 150” T-shirt, along with a social media shout-out and postcard….and our deepest appreciation for your help.
Estimated Shipping
May 2016
1 out of 36 of claimed
Ships to European Union, Canada, United States of America

The Market Experience - Eats

Currency Conversion $176 USD
$250 CAD
For your generous SPONSORSHIP of $250, we will send you a gift certificate to one of our Kensington Market food or restaurant partners for you to experience and enjoy the best of the market, valued at $50 to $100. No cash value or refund options.
Estimated Shipping
May 2016
1 out of 12 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Project Backer

Currency Conversion $351 USD
$500 CAD
For your generous project support, you will receive a thank you credit on our film, a web site credit, 2 signed copies of the documentary DVD (upon completion), a thank you letter from the production team and a framed photograph of Kensington Market.
Estimated Shipping
May 2016
2 out of 8 of claimed
Ships to European Union, Canada, United States of America

Project Sponsor

Currency Conversion $702 USD
$1,000 CAD
For your generous FILM SPONSORSHIP, you will receive a SPONSOR credit on the film, a web site credit, 2 signed copies of the documentary DVD (upon completion), a thank you letter from the director and a unique framed original image from the film signed by our Cinematographer and Director. And our deepest gratitude for helping get this project made.
Estimated Shipping
October 2016
1 out of 4 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

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