'My Africa Is' Challenges Common Perceptions With An Insider's Perspective

• 

When it comes to telling stories about Africa, perspective changes everything - what we see, how we see and what we think it means. The show won't gloss over issues or sell false hopes

New York, NY (PRWEB) June 26, 2012

Taking viewers beyond the headlines and inside the continent, a new independent documentary series, My Africa Is, is capturing a more in depth narrative on Africa as seen through the eyes and lives young locals making a difference in their communities. The series is an effort to give a more complete picture of the African continent in contrast to persistent single-story coverage focused on political instability, poverty and problems. To support the project, My Africa Is has also launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $75,000 in 45 days. The funds will be raised to cover travel expenses, along with production costs.

"My Africa Is" is on a mission to uncover and share the real African experience. The eight-part series, which debuts in early 2013, will visit 13 cities around sub-Saharan Africa, making stops in Dakar, Yoff, Monrovia, Freetown, Bubusua, Accra, Lagos, Luanda, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dar Es Salaam, and Johannesburg. While recent investment and aid interest in Africa has spiked in the last year, as evidenced by the sensational #Kony2012 campaign and the continent's emergence as a rising investment hot-spot, widespread ignorance or sweeping generalizations persist. Traveling across the continent, the crew will discover the uniqueness of each city represented, while also appreciating Africa’s diversity.

"We're not trying to change the subject; we're just changing the lens," said producer and host Nosarieme Garrick. "When it comes to telling stories about Africa, perspective changes everything - what we see, how we see and what we think it means. The show won't gloss over issues or sell false hopes. We'll be chasing real stories that inspire, provoke and hopefully put to test what we all thought we knew about Africa."

The series is slated to start shooting in October in South Africa and the complete season will be made available to a global audience as a web series in early 2013. The crew consists of TedxDar organizer Kathleen Bomani, Emmy winning Director of Photography Bob Bushfield and Oscar nominated documentary producer David R. Kuhn.

The official My Africa Is trailer is out now. The Kickstarter campaign will remain active until 9:15pm of July 27th during which people can pledge their support for the project in exchange a range of incentives including a My Africa Is original signed poster from world renowned artist Sindiso Nyoni, postcards with original images from the crew’s journey and of course, virtual hugs and eternal gratitude. There will also be a giveaway competition run every Thursday for individuals who donate $15 and up. Other details about the project can be found by visiting Kickstarter and also on the My Africa Is Tumblr page

PDF Print