estosite

 Official Singing Revolution website where you can find updates: Singing Revolution

Below is a newsletter with new information about the documentary film “The Singing Revolution.”  The Estonian-American National Council is a proud supporter of this major project.  We are pleased to report that it has been successfully released in theaters in Estonia, and is about to be released in the United States.  There is more information in the newsletter about the film’s many achievements and information about how you can help make this film successful. We encourage all Estonian Americans and their friends to support this effort, and also ask you to spread the word.  We need for non-Baltic people to understand our recent history, and getting them to see this film is an excellent way of doing that.  THE SINGING REVOLUTION Newsletter, Issue #9 

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED! Welcome to the new online newsletter for The Singing Revolution. Enclosed below are some important and exciting updates about our many recent successes and motivating challenges ahead. We strongly encourage you to visit our new website, www.singingrevolution.com, where you can sign up to bring the film to your community. More information below. THE SINGING REVOLUTION BREAKS BOX OFFICE RECORDS IN ESTONIA The film now has over 18,000 box office viewers in Estonia. That makes it the most successful feature documentary film in the history of Estonian cinema. As one means of comparison, Fahrenheit 911 and Super Size Me each drew about 1,500 viewers in Estonia. 

EUROPEAN UNION PARLIAMENT AND U.S. CONGRESS SCREENINGS In late February, The Singing Revolution screened at the European Union Parliament. More than 500 people viewed the film which received three prolonged standing ovations. In late June, the film screened at the U.S. Congress in commemoration of Estonian President Toomas Hendrick Ilves’s visit to Washington. This event was sponsored by the U.S.-Baltic Foundation. President Ilves spoke directly to the film’s crucial importance as both an educational means to tell the story of Estonia as well as an inspiring reminder to the Estonian people of their remarkable recent history. THE MOVING PICTURE INSTITUTE JOINS THE TEAM The Moving Picture Institute (MPI), a non-profit organization that focuses on the creation and promotion of theatrical films that enhance the understanding of human freedom, has chosen The Singing Revolution as its primary theatrical release effort for 2007. MPI has developed the film’s promotional graphic design, a promotional trailer, and our new website. MPI’s founder, Thor Halvorssen, has joined on as a producer, working with Jim and Maureen to strategize the film’s roll-out and marketing plans. The U.S.-Baltic Foundation, which has been a primary supporter of the project from its inception, welcomes MPI on board.  

SIGN UP TO SEE THE FILM  Our new website is up and running. One of the main features of the new website is a sign-up feature. All web visitors can register an intent to see the film if it plays in their city or town. They simply need to provide a ZIP code and an e-mail address. When we have enough interest in a given location, we will open the film there. We can then e-mail all those who have signed up to see the film and inform them of the location and dates of the screenings. The more sign-ups we have, the better our chances to distribute in even more cities. Please, please sign up! This approach is on the cutting edge of independent film distribution. It is essential to our distribution strategy. SPREAD THE WORD  The most important thing you can do to help the film right now is to sign up on the website yourself and get two friends to do the same.  

WARSAW AND SAVANNAH FILM FESTIVALS We have begun submitting to the international film festival circuit. We are pleased to have two early successes. The Warsaw Film Festival and the Savannah Film Festival have both invited The Singing Revolution to screen and compete in these prestigious festivals. PARTICIPATE IN THE FILM’S PROMOTION AND DISTRIBUTION We are seeking financial partners to help with the marketing and distribution for The Singing Revolution. The success of this film’s distribution effort is dependent on the contributions of its supporters. We need a minimum of $250,000 to promote the film in North America, and have a target of $750,000 to maximize our exposure. Plans include billboards across the country (including one on Times Square if we raise our full budget), a viral web campaign, and a U.S. press tour by a high level Estonian official. 

If we secure target funding, we will be able to release the film in at least seven cities. Contributions of all sizes are welcomed. The film was made through donations ranging from $25 to over $100,000.  We are pleased to report that the Estonian American National Council pledged $50,000 in a matching grant. Steve and Karla Jurvetson generously provided an additional $100,000 in matching funds. The Estonian World Council has already raised $20,000 towards this challenge, and every dollar invested in this effort will generate two dollars for distribution of the film. One hundred percent of funds raised will go to direct costs for film promotion and distribution. All contributions can be made through the Moving Picture Institute or through the U.S.-Baltic Foundation; both are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.   Click here to donate to the Moving Picture Institute: http://thempi.org/cgi-local/content.cgi?id=6. Write “The Singing Revolution” film in the “Comments” box along with the donation amount. For more information about supporting this film, contact Rob Pfalztgraff via email at  rob@thempi.org or call (610) 724-4212. The USBF can also accept donations  at http://www.usbaltic.org/singingrevolution.html (please be sure to designate that your contribution is going to The Singing Revolution film). General questions can also be sent to  info@singingrevolution.com. (c) 2007 Mountain View Productions, Ltd.