The MsTRIAL independent film project has launched a crowd-funding campaign that is unique in the world of small indie film financing. Joining MsTRIAL filmmakers in an Indiegogo campaign to raise funding for the film is MAN UP CAMPAIGN, an international not-for-profit organization founded during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa by journalist and lecturer, Jimmie Briggs. MAN UP is a global initiative to mobilize young people to stop violence against women and girls in their communities through the arts, sports and technology. Jimmie Briggs’ work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, LIFE, El Pais, The Village Voice, Fortune, and scores of other publications

MsTRIAL, began as a stage play in a small, black-box theater in New York, was then moved to the Chelsea Playhouse and later produced in Los Angeles at the Court Theatre to audience raves. The Los Angeles Times called the play “A Potent Salvo in Détente Between the Sexes.”

It was this underlying theme, revolving around an alleged sexual assault of a female associate by an internationally famous trial lawyer that led the MsTRIAL writer-director-actor Dep Kirkland to connect with national interest groups working in this important area:

“This was our core launch market and it occurred to us… if we have a defined audience with a special interest in the subject matter of the film, why wait to reach out to them after the film is made? Why not bring our audience in up front, to help us make the picture? I don’t know that this has ever been done for a feature film. Other successful crowd-funded features have been funded by networks of friends or fan-funded from an existing fan base for a director or a group of film makers. What we are doing has never been done, as far as I know.”

MsTRIAL’s other campaign partner is Bernie Fatla, whose company, Le Dame Footwear, produces elegant footwear in men’s sizes, serving the cross-dressing, transgender and drag queen consumer. Bernie and Le Dame have been long-time supporters of worthy causes and, in particular, those supporting gender equality.

According to MAN UP founder Jimmie Briggs, “By supporting MsTRIAL, contributors can support the larger, collective effort to address this pervasive, pernicious issue and will also support MAN UP’s efforts to engage and mobilize youth. MAN UP’s goals are aligned with MsTRIAL’s because, ultimately, we both are committed to ending violence against women and promoting gender equality.”

The MsTRIAL campaign can be found on INDIEGOGO at www.indiegogo.com
The MsTRIAL film web page can be found at www.mstrialfilm.com