“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” Orhan Pamuk
We recognize that it is not just about financing, but success is also determined by the length of one’s reach. Let us welcome you to walk with us in creating a truly significant documentary film that will impact many people’s lives and most importantly stray dogs’ lives.
“The Citizen Paw” is an uplifting documentary that will take us on a journey about much more than just stray dogs. It’s about prejudice, being misunderstood, the power of resilience, and the significance of the relationship we as humans have with animals. For many, the seeds of change are first planted by a great documentary that informs and compels society to act!
Web Page: www.thecitizenpaw.com
Logline:
The crying voices of stray dogs in Kosovo.
ONE PARAGRAPH SYNOPSIS:
This documentary is a moving story about the stray dogs problem in Kosovo. The U.S. led the 1999 NATO bombing campaign that paved the way to Kosovo’s independence on February 17th 2008. As of now, there are no exact figures for the number of stray dogs in the country, but by some estimates their number may be as high as 100,000 (One hundred thousand). “The Citizen Paw" is the uplifting documentary that will take us on a journey about much more than just stray dogs. It’s about prejudice, being misunderstood, the power of resilience, and the significance of the relationship we as humans have with animals.
ONE PAGE SYNOPSIS:
Many people in Kosovo consider stray dogs a threat to their safety. A few unfortunate dog bite events can cause people to turn on stray dogs and perceive them as vicious. There is a lack of awareness about the process of adopting dogs and a shortage of dog shelters throughout the country.
Stray dogs in Kosovo are often abandoned, abused, malnourished, and tethered. Several organizations, including Animal Rights Foundation Kosovo, Stray Coco, National Democratic Institute, Libras Hundhjälp, etc., recognized the dogs as victims, and gave them a second chance through CNVR programs, building regional shelters, advocating for professional treatment, and holding awareness campaigns. The documentary will follow the stories of Animal Rights Activists, Humane Educators, Researchers, Financial Assistance, Medical Assistance, Shelters, Rescues, Spay/Neuter providers, and the Public.
Stories about rescued stray dogs and their adoptions will also be included. The focus of this documentary is not just on the dogs themselves, but on how the dogs inspire and change the people who come into their lives.
It also follows activists who feed stray dogs daily or take them to veterinarians.
Also, the stories of dog fights often resulting in severe injuries and death. Heartbreaking cases of dog poisonings and general mistreatment of them. Local and international celebrities will voice-over impassioned messages for this documentary. This documentary’s educational aspect is also a highlight. Neglect and cruelty to animals are crimes, stray dogs, too, dream of justice. Interviews with key local and international animal rights organizations, government and municipal officials, good Samaritans from the US and elsewhere.
The goal of this documentary is to raise awareness worldwide, to seek assistance, to educate, and most importantly to help stray dogs. The timing of this topic could not be better. Is an animal’s life always worth less than a human’s life? In our society today, we see an increase in issues regarding animal welfare, from the poor conditions of animals in farms to the exploitation of animals in entertainment venues. Mahatma Gandhi was right that "the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
About the Director:
www.hannanoka.com
![]()
HANA NOKA is an Albanian - American award-winning actress, director, author, model, and an animal rights activist dedicated to making a difference. She has a BA (Honors) Degree in Journalism and Visual Media from Griffith College Dublin, Ireland. She is based in California.
Hana’s Drama Short Film "I, WOMAN", produced under the banner of PINKMOON GLOBAL, has won several festival awards, nominations and official selection and continues to make festival rounds. So far, “I, WOMAN” has won Award of Merit by Best Shorts Competition 2020; Silver Award Actress by Hollywood Gold Awards 2021; Best Drama Short by 1st Monthly Film Festival 2020; Best Short by Golden Bridge Istanbul Short Film Festival; Best Lead Actress from Anatolia International Film Festival 2021, and much more. In 2022 it will be available on Prime Videos and Shorts TV.
Hana also directed, co-produced several documentary portraits such as “Ode to the City of Angels” Los Angeles during COVID-19 lockdown 2020, documentary portrait “National Treasure” on notable cultural personality, Prof. Dr. Skender Rizaj and College commissioned story “Guinness” about Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. She is currently working on her new documentary about stray dogs in Kosovo under the working title “The Citizen Paw”.
Having been inspired by strong and powerful women throughout history, Hana wrote a novel "BESA PO” about a legendary fierce warrior queen, Queen Teuta of Illyria, who lived 200 years before Cleopatra. The novel won a prize as a Winner of the 8th Edition of "Beverly Hills Book Awards 2020” in Historical Fiction category. Currently, negotiations are underway to adapting her novel into a feature film.
Hana graced multiple magazine covers in Europe and USA. After being a child model in commercials and print, Hana went on to host the #1 ranking program "TEEN" for three consecutive years on Broadcasting television network of Kosovo, RTK.
She has also walked many runways in Europe and U.S. In addition to this, she has appeared in the feature film "General" with Goran Visnjic, Armand Assante among others. Hana recently starred in commercials for Brand Embassy, Heinemann Duty Free, Cashback World, V-Flat World, Schlumberger Sparkling Wine, and Royals Paris Beverly Hills.
Hana is fluent in English, Albanian, Croatian and Turkish.
About Pinkmoon Global:
www.pinkmoonglobal.com
![]()
PINKMOON GLOBAL is an award-winning boutique full-service film house in California. Our motto is simple: work with exceptional people on meaningful things. It’s what started our fire and continues to fuel our engine. The power of the “story” is one that can have profound impact on our lives who hear and see it.
Our team is everything. Some famous person once said, “Great ideas need landing gear as well as wings.” It’s true, especially in the arena of filmmaking. Everybody got great ideas, but greatness happens when skilled creators roll up their sleeves. Our secret sauce is our strategy-focused international professional team. Our team have a background in filmmaking which has provided a great foundation on which we build our production. Over the last three years we have worked with partners in Los Angeles, Miami, NYC, and London.
We are there at every step of the process. From concept development to pre-production, casting, production, and post-production. We help strategize and execute productions that are emotionally engaging because we know that the right content can move people to action.
In a nutshell: we do things differently. We bring together decades of experience having worked with countless clients around the globe. From Monday-morning milestone emails, to creative calls until the final product, we promise you’re going to enjoy the ride.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT:
Hi, my name is Hana Noka. I’m a filmmaker, actress, author, but most importantly an animal rights activist and a dog mom of a 14-year-old Shih tzu named Lucky.
As a child I was raised in an animal-loving household with happy dogs everywhere, but I soon learned that not all dogs live happy lives. There are stray dogs too who live in horrific conditions. Left alone on the streets, in all 4 seasons. Most of the people passing by don't even look at them. So yes, this is a story about stray dogs, but imagine for a moment that it was your child, because after all, they are someone's children, siblings, and ultimately our best friends.
That's why I want to tell the story of stray dogs in my home country, Kosovo. Since they are unable to tell their stories, I will. Talking about this painful and heartbreaking topic is important. Talking leads to awareness, and awareness leads to change.
The documentary will tell stories of wonderful Samaritan’s, animal rights activists and organizations, the help that they provide, shelters, rescues, adoptions, and CNVR projects. There will also be a focus on the relationship between dogs and people. We’ll discuss about animal rights with leaders of local and international animal organizations, government and municipal officials. But it will also show the darker side: dogfights, tragic cases of poisonings, and much more and that THAT must stop! NOW!
Local and international celebrities will voice-over impassioned messages for this documentary.
The goal of this documentary is to spread awareness that stray dogs are intelligent and conscious creatures, who deserve proper care, treatment, respect and a home. As a group, we’ll advocate for stronger laws protecting animals. Ideally, we would encourage municipalities to open no-kill animal adoption centers modeled after the US blueprint, as well as inspire people to adopt, raise awareness around the world, and seek assistance.
Dogs that are neglected and abandoned do not have a voice, but we do. We are seeking funding to support the production, distribution, and marketing of the film. Your help will allow us to tell a story that has been long overdue.
This film's vision goes beyond profits. We hope this documentary will give us a possibility to show what a blessing rescue dogs are and that they deserve a second chance.
Thank you!
Great stories deserve great storytelling!
Note: The release date of the documentary film might be subject of delay related to COVID-19 outbreak. While we know there might be disappointment in having to wait a little longer, this documentary will be made with the safety of everyone as our foremost consideration.
Disclaimer: Sponsors do not own the movie or any portion of it, as a result of their sponsorship.
