The Ghost Children Fight

What if we co-produced a documentary film with a strong social utility for children’s rights? The fight goes on www.ghostchildren.org!

Successful

108

Contributions

12/30/2019

End date

€7,207

Out of €5,000

144 %

Our commitments

Local Development Solidarity

December 10, 2019

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The Ghost Children Fight

In a multi-stakeholder momentum where any contribution is useful, citizens, local governments civil society and the private sector gather to support the production of a 52' documentary film with a strong social utility about ghost children donating 5% of the funds raised to UNICEF to contribute to children immediate needs on the ground. In 45 days, we reached 144% of our first target by bringing together 106 individuals and organizations, making sure the project will become reality while financing 7 UNICEF Happy Boxes. Today the film is in the final stages of editing, and the fight goes on <a href="http://www.ghostchildren,org" target="_blank">www.ghostchildren.org</a>! <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/638999/Paliers_thermo_EN-1577056733.png" width="100%" /> <hr /> <h2>WHAT?</h2> <hr /> Praised for its impact and a particularly replicable character, the birth registration partnership led by the cities of Roeselare (Belgium) and Dogbo (Benin) has been elected last year "best decentralised cooperation project" by a jury of specialists from the European Union and the United Nations (PLATFORMAwards initiative). The cooperation partnership that became an example for the world offers a great story perfectly translated into video. Launching that #GhostChildrenFight campaign, it is interesting to introduce a collective conversation on the substantive issues mentioned in the film. How to eradicate the ghost children problem? What are the reasons for an endemic non-registration of births? What are the best tools to deal with the phenomenon and how to articulate them? Should the civil state matters be only dealt by central governments ? The documentary film will be a unique communication tool to raise awareness of the wider audience about human rights, the right to identity,  international solidarity, decentralized cooperation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/634797/sdgs-1574982000.png" width="100%" /> <blockquote> "Ensuring legal identity for all, including birth registration" is one of the 17 SDGs defined by the United Nations, for which local and regional authorities have an important role to play. </blockquote> <hr /> <h3>FILM SYNOPSIS</h3> Today 230 million children don't have a birth certificate worldwide. Without a legal existence and associated rights, these "ghost children" are excluded from society and can easily become the prey of the worst abuses. To face this situation, the mayor of Dogbo in Benin has signed a birth registration cooperation agreement with his Belgian counterpart in Roeselare. Strong actions are being taken on equipment, recruitment, training and awareness. On a mission to Dogbo, the Belgian delegation must face cultural differences and local traditions to offer the project a full success. <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/634807/Fiche_technique_EN-1574987967.png" width="100%" /> <hr /> <h3 style="text-align:center">BUDGET & FINANCIAL PLAN</h3> <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/631578/Budg_PDF_anglais-1573813896.png" width="100%" /> <hr /> <h2>WHY?</h2> <hr /> <h3>PROJECT GENESIS</h3> September 2018. Social networks relay a call for proposals for a video production project launched by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), whose PLATFORMAwards initiative aims to reward excellence in action cities and regions. Among 42 decentralized cooperation projects run by 75 local governments from 30 countries, a jury of officials and experts from the European Union and the United Nations unanimously awarded the first prize to the cities of Roeselare (Belgium) of Dogbo (Benin ) for their joint birth registration program. <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/631150/Bandeau_Platformawards-1573683628.png" width="100%" />With almost 40% of births unregistered, Benin is one of the most affected countries in the world by the "ghost children" issue, which affects nearly 230 million children worldwide. Deprived of a birth certificate, these children have no legal existence and can not claim any right. Excluded from society, they can even become the target of the worst abuses: school drop-out, child labor, forced marriage, prostitution, child soldiers ... To eradicate the ghost children in Dogbo, the mayor of this 100,000 inhabitants Beninese city  has forged with his Belgian counterpart of Roeselare a cooperation partnership which is so much effective that its success starts to reason throughout Africa.   <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/631219/UNICEF_stats_ENG-1573724474.jpg" width="100%" />   <hr /> <h2>WHO?</h2> <hr /> Specialized in communication tools for local governments international cooperation projects, Backpack Productions won the EU call for projects and immediately reinforced the envisaged measure to produce a 52' documentary film. <h3>PRESENTATION OF THE STRUCTURE LEADING THE PROJECT</h3> Founded in 2009, Backpack Productions is an independent audiovisual production company based in Bordeaux, France, specialized in reportages and documentaries highlighting contrasts of a connected world. From conception to broadcasting, Backpack offers a turnkey solution by coordinating the know-how of European talents and targeted specialists: directors, journalists, production managers, chief operators, cameramen, graphic designers, sound engineers, mixers , musicians, translators and other audiovisual technicians. In 10 years, Backpack acquired a unique know-how to offer each production a global and coherent approach, gathering an original quality writing, effective narrative structures, beautiful images and an irreproachable post-production. Backpack knows how to highlight strong stories generating authenticity, emotion and enthusiasm. With the CNC (French National Cinema Center) support or in co-production with France Télévisions, Backpack films have been acclaimed by critics and rewarded with prestigious awards at international films festivals. <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/634804/References-1574985954.png" width="100%" /> In an approach of corporate social responsibility and a strong sensitivity to the international solidarity and local development challenges, Backpack recently developed an expertise on communication projects related to the local authorities international cooperation projects: <ul> <li>In 2014 and 2015, Backpack produced videos for the Local Governments International Action Forum for the benefit of targeted local authorities associations (France, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Senegal).</li> <li>In 2016 and 2017, Backpack produced for the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs (DAECT) and Cités Unies France a successful multichannel communication campaign.</li> <li>In 2018, Backpack produced for the European Union (CEMR / PLATFORMA) a short report and derived videos, as well as a communication campaign promoting the best decentralized cooperation project.</li> <li>In 2019, Backpack strengthens the European arrangement to promote decentralized cooperation and the Sustainable Development Goals by leading the "Ghost Children Fight" documentary production, including that participative #GhostChildrenFight campaign.</li> </ul>   <hr /> <h2>HOW?</h2> <hr /> Backpack was pleased to quickly get the support of the European Union through the CEMR and UNICEF, through the availability of the video rushes and a key interview of an expert on the ground. We also gathered a tailor-made team with an experienced director who already shot several documentaries with a cameraman who knows Africa as well. Versatile and sensitive to cooperation issues, the editor already knows the rushes since he successfully mounted the short video report, whose trailer has been viewed more than 360,000 views on social networks. The film is now targeting  to reach the wider audience with film festivals participations on 5 continents with an associated international TV distribution. A rigorous project management and a constant concern for quality will allow the best technical team to make the most of adapted means according to the campaign collected final amount. For that and to build the best film, we now hope that many citizens, local governments, associations and institutions will join the #GhostChildrenFight campaign launched as part of the European Days of Local Solidarity. <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/635059/Partenaires_institutionnels_2-1575127207.png" width="100%" />

Allocation of funds

Today, the project already reached an advanced production stage with with minimal risk. The shooting has already taken place, the narrative structure is built, the editing has progressed well with a 45 ' rough cut. Post-production teams and providers have been identified and selected for a well-budgeted budget backed by a strong financing plan. We now need to offer the film the best success with that dedicated #GhostChildrenFight campaign,  <hr /> <h3>CAMPAIGN LEVELS</h3> A minimum budget of 5.000 € will  guarantee the post-production finalization (editing, mixing), the "masters" editing and the DVD releases, with a premiere and the rewards production due to contributors! Reaching the 2nd level of 10,000 € would strengthen the post-production for a more qualitative film, including editing, sound editing, calibration, and original music. Reaching the 3rd level of € 15,000 would allow to register the film to targeted international film festivals on 5 continents, signing the full success of our crowdfunding campaign. <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/637764/Paliers_english-1576239969.png" width="100%" /> <hr /> <h3>CSR AND CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT</h3> For us it seems natural that this participatory momentum also materially contributes to targeted actions for children's rights. 5% of the contributions will be donated to UNICEF to carry out actions on the ground, in particular financing some "Health" and "Education" Happy Box. <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/637464/Thermome_tre_english-1576102712.png" width="100%" /> <hr /> <h3>REWARDS</h3> The crowdfunding campaign offers 13 levels of contribution starting from € 5 including the following rewards: <ul> <li>The film on different media: streaming, download link, DVD, USB key</li> <li>Spin-off merchandise: bookmarks, pens, postcards, posters, tote bags, magnets and keychains bottle openers, coasters, mugs, filming book, mouse pads, power banks (external battery to charge a mobile phone)</li> <li>UNICEF solidarity products: stamps, magnetic bookmarks, insulated bottles</li> <li>Privileged times around the film: coffee, cocktail, or dinner on the premiere.</li> </ul> Through a dedicated level of contribution, local governments, associations, companies, foundations and institutions can make the most of the film as a communication tool: <ul> <li>With the organization of a private screening in the presence of the director (including 1 hour of questions & answers)</li> <li>With a targeted visibility mentioning the partner in the opening or ending credits</li> </ul> <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/631156/projo-1573684891.jpg" width="100%" /> <hr /> <h3>NOTE OF INTENT OF THE FILM DIRECTOR</h3> Having worked for 15 years on communication projects dealing with decentralized cooperation, I know how to meet this production challenge which is also an editorial matter. I assume the ambition to tint the film of the richness of a complex ecosystem highlighting a beautiful story with charismatic characters learning to know each other in our so interdependent world. The scenario plunges us into the heart of Benin, cradle of voodoo beliefs that is interesting to contrast with Belgium as a host country of the European institutions. When the Roeselare hospital looks brand new, Dogbo's maternity ward is devoid of any means. When Belgian school classes seem to host a limited number of students, Dogbo classes are literally overcrowded. These material questions do not seem to touch the enthusiasm of characters for whom comfort often seems a point of detail. At the rate of back and forth between Europe and Africa, the strong differences offered by these territories will finally prove to be very complementary. From a narrative point of view, I am happy avoid any voice over for a limited number of simple title cards, reinforcing the weight of the words to illustrate beautiful images. The film soundtrack will include the title "Mutoto Kwanza" ("Children First") performed by the Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo, "first African diva" according to The Time and one of the 10 most influential women in Africa for The Guardian. We can only be honored that Angelique Kidjo, who is also UNICEF's international ambassador, has offered the Ghost Children Fight the synchronizing rights for her song, which can be considered in the film as the most beautiful hymn for universal children rights. If the film is an ode to decentralized cooperation, it also questions the compatibility of interactions between different cultures in a strong traditions context. A story of trials, doubts, resistance and especially love, where the human being is questioned in the depths of his openness. In Benin and Belgium, I met charismatic characters from whom I naturally obtained rich and authentic sequences. As examples I think about the interview (seen at the beginning of the teaser) of the UNICEF representative in the unmapped district of Ladji that could also be called "ghost" zone (more commonly known as the slum of Cotonou), or the sequence with the king of Dogbo followed by the the voodoo ceremony which reminds the reality of the ground. By the richness of the addressed issues (childhood, education, poverty, decentralization, international cooperation, Sustainable Development Goals), the film has great potential as a communication tool for international meetings, where a screening could be followed by questions-answers sessions or debates. Of course I am thinking of the next Africa-France summit to be held in Bordeaux in June 2020 and which could host an official screening of the film. Today, all the elements that make for a successful quality film seem well together. Thank you for the time you have spent reading this page and which I hope will translate into your support. Jean Crousillac, director <img alt="" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/634818/merci_EN-1575017193.png" width="100%" />

Rewards

End credits

€5

18 contributions

Our immense gratitude illustrated by your name in the end credits of the film with all the people who have allowed the film to exist (category "Acknowledgments")

Estimated delivery: March 2020

Streaming

€15

25 contributions

The above + the online viewing of the film in preview (valid for 30 days)

Estimated delivery: March 2020

Download

€25

29 contributions

The above + the film download link (HD version) to watch and keep / show + 5 original wallpapers taken from the film (including the poster in digital format)

Estimated delivery: March 2020