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Jews of the Wild West Documentary

A Story of Pioneer Spirit and Survival

$20,695
pledged of$20,000 goal
86
0Days Left

Project Description

Welcome to our Jews of the Wild West documentary community!

We are so thrilled to have you here and grateful for your consideration of our crowdfunding campaign. Jews of the Wild West began with a desire to tell unknown stories of the Wild West. From cowboys to trailblazers, Jewish pioneers left a lasting legacy of resilience and community in the American West. Unfortunately, few people are familiar with the outstanding contributions of these gutsy immigrants. Our film aims to amplify their stories.

 

Filmmaker Amanda Kinsey interviewing author Ann Kirschner about Wyatt Earp's Jewish wife Josephine Marcus.

what exactly is the project?

Jews of the Wild West is a full length independent documentary currently in production with Electric Yolk Media. It is directed and produced by Emmy Award winner and Denver-based filmmaker Amanda Kinsey. Through on-camera interviews, archival films and historical photographs, this documentary will weave together a powerful story of pioneer spirit and survival. The film is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

What's the market?

The film is eagerly anticipated worldwide. Articles have been published about it, including in the Times of Israel and the Jerusalem Post. We have spoken to a sold out audience at the Center for Jewish History in New York City and fans at History Colorado in Denver. We have also received interest from Jewish film festivals as far away as the UK and Australia.

 

Interviewing cattleman Al Dinner in Denver, Colorado.

What's the goal?

The goal is to preserve a rarely told chapter of Jewish history and, in doing so, help tell a positive story of immigration. Our plan is to tour film festivals and markets and be picked up by a major media company for national and international distribution. There are over 200 Jewish film festivals worldwide and Amanda's work has previously been featured on PBS, Vice and NBC.

What does it cost?

The total budget for Jews of the Wild West is $175,000. Every dollar counts and all contributions are welcome. *Update*: The purpose of this crowdfunding campaign was to raise $20,000 specifically for editing costs (we did it!). Please see the FAQ section of this site for more information about continued fundraising. 

 

Filming on location in Elbert, Colorado.

Thank you for your interest and support. Please see the FAQ section of this page for more detailed information. We can't wait to share this fantastic film with the world.

The Campaign FAQs

the campaign ended, can i STILL donate? 

The answer is yes! In July 2021, we reached the $20,000 goal for this crowdfunding campaign. If you would like to now support the film, you can donate directly to our fiscal sponsor the Colorado Forum Fund and select "Jews of the Wild West" from their dropdown menu.

 

Alternatively, to support the film offline, please make a check out to the Colorado Forum Fund and include "Jews of the Wild West" in the memo. The donation will be tax deductible and can be sent to:

 

Colorado Forum Fund

Att: MacKenzie Tennery

511 16th St, Suite 210

Denver, CO 80202

Why should I donate to this film?

If you would like to see this chapter of Jewish American life preserved on film, please consider making a donation. Jews of the Wild West tells the stories of Jewish immigrants and the positive impact they had on the American West. As we all work to make for a more socially justice world, understanding the diversity of our history becomes more important than ever. Now is the time to share this history.

How much money do you need?

The total budget for the film is $175,000. This is a modest budget for a documentary of this length and the film is budgeted as a not-for-profit production. The total budget covers expenses such as staffing, production equipment, archival licensing and travel. 

Where does the money go?

We are proud to have partnered with the Colorado Forum Fund, a 501c3 charitable organization focused on educating Coloradans on various nonpartisan issues of public policy. 5% of all donations go to the Colorado Forum Fund to cover administrative fees, 2.2% goes to PayPal if donated online and the remainder goes directly to the film. Thanks to the Colorado Forum Fund, all donations will be tax deductible to you. The film remains editorially independent in this fiscal sponsorship agreement. Once complete, any profits made from the distribution of this film will be donated to the Rose Community Foundation to support their continued efforts to both uplift the Jewish community and advance inclusive, engaged and equitable Greater Denver communities. 

What happens once I donate?

Thanks to you, our editing begins! Put simply, these funds allow us to get the film out to the world as quickly as possible. You will receive an acknowledgment of your donation from the Colorado Forum Fund within one month. All donors are credited at the end of the film.

 

HOW DO I GET FILM UPDATES?

 

We have a periodic mailing list that you can subscribe to through our website. We also frequently update our social media at Instagram and Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sophie
07/30/2021
Monetary Contribution
$50
Michelle Paget
07/30/2021
Monetary Contribution
$25
NatB
07/29/2021
Monetary Contribution
$220
Lisa Zerkel
07/29/2021
Monetary Contribution
$20
jonathan wald
07/26/2021
The Trail Boss
$360
Amanda C Kinsey
07/25/2021
Monetary Contribution
$18
07/25/2021
Monetary Contribution
$25
Donald Kinsey
07/25/2021
The City Slicker
$250
Lindsey Boylan
07/24/2021
The Lone Ranger
$1,800
Patricia Madara
07/24/2021
Monetary Contribution
$250
Monetary Contribution

Your Western style defies classification. We appreciate that. 

49 Supporters
Select this reward
1,800.00 USD
The Lone Ranger

Hi Ho Silver! Thank you. This level donor receives a live virtual tutorial on making gf/df cornbread and a bandana from the world famous, Jewish-founded, Rockmont Ranch Wear.  All donations are partially tax deductible (see FAQ page) and all donors receive a credit at the end of the film. Please include your mailing address at checkout.

5 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
900.00 USD
The Buckaroo

Way to keep them doggies rollin! Thank you. A donation at this level gives you a hand written card, a backpack patch from Antiquaria and a shout out on social media. All donations are partially tax deductible (see FAQ page) and all donors receive a credit at the end of the film. Please include your mailing address at checkout.

4 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
360.00 USD
The Trail Boss

Giddy up! Thank you. This donation gives you a Western enamel pin from Antiquaria. Wear it with pride! All donations are partially tax deductible (see FAQ page) and all donors receive a credit at the end of the film. Please include your mailing address at checkout.

5 Left
11 Supporters
Select this reward
180.00 USD
The City Slicker

You don't rope cattle, but you do love our film. Thank you! This donation gives you a set of Western scenic stickers from Antiquaria. All donations are partially tax deductible (see FAQ page) and all donors receive a credit at the end of the film. Please include your mailing address at checkout.

8 Left
9 Supporters
Select this reward
54.00 USD
The Little Dipper

Big dreams start small. Thank you for your contribution. We will be sending you a Western postcard. All donations are partially tax deductible (see FAQ page) and all donors receive a credit at the end of the film. Please include your mailing address at checkout.

25 Left
15 Supporters
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About the Entrepreneur

Denver, CO
Created 1 Campaign
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Your Western style defies classification. We appreciate that. 

49 Supporters
Select this reward
1,800.00 USD
The Lone Ranger

Hi Ho Silver! Thank you. This level donor receives a live virtual tutorial on making gf/df cornbread and a bandana from the world famous, Jewish-founded, Rockmont Ranch Wear.  All donations are partially tax deductible (see FAQ page) and all donors receive a credit at the end of the film. Please include your mailing address at checkout.

5 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
900.00 USD
The Buckaroo

Way to keep them doggies rollin! Thank you. A donation at this level gives you a hand written card, a backpack patch from Antiquaria and a shout out on social media. All donations are partially tax deductible (see FAQ page) and all donors receive a credit at the end of the film. Please include your mailing address at checkout.

4 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
360.00 USD
The Trail Boss

Giddy up! Thank you. This donation gives you a Western enamel pin from Antiquaria. Wear it with pride! All donations are partially tax deductible (see FAQ page) and all donors receive a credit at the end of the film. Please include your mailing address at checkout.

5 Left
11 Supporters
Select this reward
180.00 USD
The City Slicker

You don't rope cattle, but you do love our film. Thank you! This donation gives you a set of Western scenic stickers from Antiquaria. All donations are partially tax deductible (see FAQ page) and all donors receive a credit at the end of the film. Please include your mailing address at checkout.

8 Left
9 Supporters
Select this reward
54.00 USD
The Little Dipper

Big dreams start small. Thank you for your contribution. We will be sending you a Western postcard. All donations are partially tax deductible (see FAQ page) and all donors receive a credit at the end of the film. Please include your mailing address at checkout.

25 Left
15 Supporters
Select this reward