We are launching an Oscar Campaign for Best Documentary Feature!!
It's Official! "State of the Unity" is ELIGIBLE and is set to campaign for this year's 96th Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature, as well as other potential nominations for music. We are blown away.
We are hopeful in bringing our 50 State journey in human understanding and empathy forward at a time when domestic division here in the U.S. has become the number one threat to Democracy worldwide. So we are taking our film + music on tour this fall to New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Nashville to some of the most iconic theatres in America.
This is one of the most exciting moments of our careers. We are happy... and slightly terrified. But we are all in - we believe in you, this message, and our country. So we can't wait to see you on the road. This message of understanding is needed now more than ever. Let us all continue to spread light amidst the growing darkness.
As deep growing national polarization threatens democracy, this message of unity and what we learned along the way that it's not "a shared narrative of future, but a narrative of a shared future" that will get us through these times.
This campaign will help us to bring light to the film and the 8 year journey to this point. We are honored to even have the opportunity to be considered with some of the best films of the year.
Wow - we can't believe what is going on. So needless to say, it's going to be a busy couple of months ahead. Keep us in your thoughts (prayer hands). We'll need it! Please stay tuned and help us in continuing to spread the word from coast to coast. We can't wait to share what we have planned for the future...
If you have read this far and you want to engage and bring "State of the Unity" to your community, please send us a message or email. Our dates are tight, but if we are close by we want to help you in spreading the word to your community. Maybe we can stop in for a Q+A, dinner, or neighborhood hang. You just never know. Please stay in touch.
So the big question is... ARE YOU IN?
Sending all the love we have in our hearts out to you all today!!
Ever Upwards and Shine ON,
N+J
FAQ
Want to know more? This section is for you! Here are some of the common questions we have had.
Who Votes for the Oscars?
The Oscars voting is done by over 10,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. These members live all over the world, but are mostly concentrated in major cities.
Can you reach out to members of the Academy directly about the film?
No. The only way Academy members can hear about a film is through press and Oscar Campaigns.
What is a campaign for an Oscar?
A campaign is an effort on the part of filmmakers to create interest in the project by the Academy. This is most commonly done through screenings in major markets and press that is generated in those markets. This is why a tour is a vital part of a campaign - to bring awareness for the film.
Why is it called a campaign?
Like most things in life, we have to set our intentions on what we hope to achieve. A campaign is a commitment to putting the film on the forefront both financially and professionally as you tour and put money into press to bring about awareness for the film. Nothing is guaranteed, but we do believe this is the best thing for us at this time - as risky as it is!
If you campaign, do you win?
No. A campaign only sets out the intention. Wayne Gretzky once said that, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. This campaign is setting our intention and our resources on the path to have the opportunity to win, not the guarantee. It’s a very low likelihood of winning, but we are confident we can continue to grow the conversation around the film. In order to campaign, you have to eligible.
Can anyone campaign for an Oscar?
No. A film must be considered “Eligible” by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. To be eligible includes a few different criteria. One is that the film offered an in person theatrical element open to the public in a qualifying market. In order to get a theatrical release, most often, a film has to have a distribution deal. We secured this and the announcement came on VARIETY this fall that we have struck a deal with Freestyle Digital Media a division of Allen Media Group based in Los Angeles, CA.
When did you decide to campaign?
When the VARIETY piece was release this fall it began a conversation about the campaign for an Oscar. After a lot of deep thought and reflection, Jillian and I decided we were willing to take the risk. We have been homeless for over a decade of making this film and this journey has no guarantees.
What can I do to help?
There are many opportunities to help. First off, if you would like to support the cause financially we are now connected with Creative Visions Foundation a not-for-profit who can allow for tax deductible donations to the campaign. If you just want to support by helping spread awareness then please tell a friend! Help bring ‘State of the Unity’ to you community - or attend one of the events planned for this fall.
