1000 Stories of Hope
In a world besieged with negative news on a daily basis, there's one thing we can never get enough of and that's hope. Hope in the form of people and organisations doing great things, making real change and contributing towards
a positive and happy global community.
Some time ago, filmmaker Lara Damiani vowed that she wouldn't rest until she'd made 1000 Stories of Hope - short films demonstrating the hope that is created around the world where individuals and and organisations are creating social change.
1000 is a big number! But there are plans to expand this project to include others contributing to 1000 Stories of Hope. We're also looking into ways to make this project self-sustaining into the future.
1000 Stories of Hope will feature social entrepreneurs around the world who are doing amazing work creating social change, innovation and contributing to a more positive and happy world. Story Number One is an exciting multi-media project (incorporating
film, photography and sound) that demonstrates the impact of the social enterprise
Pollinate Energy.
Who is Lara Damiani?
Lara Damiani is a passionate documentary film-maker who has directed, produced and distributed documentary films for television and industry. She is an inspiring finder-of-hope and teller-of-stories, who cares
deeply about her subjects and the characters she brings to life on film. She has worked in Cambodia, India, Thailand, China, Burma and Tibet, and with indigenous communities across central Australia and in the Top End.
Lara started her filmmaking career in 2007 when she gave up everything to make a documentary to raise awareness about Tibet's freedom struggle. It was the first film she made. To find out more about Lara, click
here.
Since making the documentary, Lara established Think Films to work with NGOs, Not for Profits and International Aid and Humanitarian Organisations helping them to tell their stories of change and demonstrate their impact through film. You can find out more
about Think Films here. You can watch some of Lara's work
here.
Who is Pollinate Energy?
On 31 July 2012, India experienced the largest blackout the world has ever seen. Some 600 million people were plunged into darkness. The blackout made news headlines all over the world. What wasn't reported is that after the lights came back on, nearly 400
million people remained in darkness. These are the people in India living in energy poverty. The blackout was the catalyst that inspired a group of young Australians to found social business Pollinate Energy and work towards eliminating energy poverty.
Pollinate Energy are a group of young Australians who thrive on creating sustainable solutions to social problems. They improve the lives of India's urban poor by providing them access to sustainable and affordable products that make their lives better. Pollinate
Energy is based in Australia and India. Pollinate Energy have won two UN Awards recognising their work and contribution. They've also been featured in various media.
Find out more about Pollinate Energy
here.
Who'll be Working on this Project?
Alongside Lara, who'll be directing, shooting and editing the films will be:
Claudio Raschella. When professional photographer and good friend of Lara's, Claudio Raschella first heard about Lara embarking on her unfunded journey to make a documentary on Tibet, he offered to help. And help he did. Claudio and Lara
journeyed together into Tibet and twice to India to shoot and photograph for this project.
In 2012, Claudio and Lara worked together documenting the story of six wonderful Australian women on the CUFA Cambodia Cycling Challenge. You can check out some of Claude's photography work
here.
Jakub Gaudasinski. Jakub and Lara have worked together on various projects where Jakub's creative sound design offers a unique audio experience. Jakub will create an inspirational piece music for the film that
will add to it's originality, musically demonstrating the emotion and adventure as the story unfolds. You can listen to some of Jakub's work
here.
What will Happen?
This is what we're planning:
1. We'll travel to Bangalore, India for 14 days to shoot the film, record audio and take photos
2. We'll then return home where the post production will begin
3. We'll deliver a 10-15 minute film, a 2- 3 minute condensed version of the film, a set of photographs and a soundtrack for the film composed from the recordings in India.
4. We'll use social media to promote the films, the photo's and the soundtrack as widely as possible, working closely with the team at Pollinate Energy to maximise audience reach.
5. We really want to hold an amazing launch party where we screen the film, exhibit the photos and play the sound installation and have those of you who've pledged $50 or more join us ! We can do this if we exceed our Tipping Point !
6. We'll start thinking about 1000 Stories of Hope - Story Number 2!
To Learn More:
Visit Lara on Twitter
here.
Visit Lara on Facebook
here.
Visit Pollinate Energy on Facebook here.
Visit the Think Films website
here.
Who will Benefit?
From this project, Pollinate Energy will have a suite of professional media products it can use to further promote its good work, raise awareness of its cause and find new supporters to expand its social business. Pollinate Energy ultimately hopes to operate
in all of India's Tier 1 cities with over one million people. To expand into new cities, Pollinate Energy depends on grants and donations. This project will provide Pollinate Energy with new and improved tools for successful fundraising, allowing the organisation
to access the funds it needs to light up the lives of hundreds of thousands of people currently living in energy poverty.
