“Art Comes From Need” / MY REINCARNATION: Why Now?

This weekend, in the midst of the second year of MY REINCARNATION’s international tour, I came across this poster at a screening at the Kunstmuseum in Bern, Swizerland: “Art Comes From Need.” I had to pause for a moment, and then a second moment, and then again. ‘Yes,’ my heart said to myself: ‘I make films out of need, absolute need. Desperate need.’ Then another thought, ‘And viewers, watch films out of need too, the need to make sense of the absolute chaos of human life, the need to find answers.’ The thickness of this statement goes on and on. Watching groups gather in cinemas across America and beyond to discuss MY REINCARNATION shows me this over and over: MY REINCARNATION gives audiences a moment to investigate their need for spirituality and their need to find a way to integrate spiritual practice in their daily lives as seen in the story of a Tibetan Master and his son.

Now, as we gallop towards the primetime US Television Broadcast of MY REINCARNATION as the Premiere of PBS’S POV 25th Anniversary Season on June 21st, 2012, I feel compelled to make sure the film is available to the widest audience possible. I want the whole of America to be able join in this amazing conversation begun in our Hosted Screenings during our 55-city Theatrical Tour about the role of spirituality in our lives today. To this end, we have launched a final fundraising push for the US Broadcast of MY REINCARNATION with a unique US Spiritual Awareness Campaign (SAC). Our goal is to have the film reach the widest audience possible to spark interfaith dialogue and a discussion of the value of Tibetan culture.

We are trying to raise a minimum of $50,000 and a maximum of $150,000 for addition PR and Outreach for MY REINCARNATION. This would include a Satellite Media Press Tour (40K) and Satellite Radio Press Tour (10K) with Film Protagonist and high Tibetan Buddhist Master, Choegyal Namkhai Norbu. These virtual media tours allow the US National Press to meet and speak to Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche directly in two condensed morning, each studio event lasting 2 hours. Without this type of organization, Rinpoche’s travel schedule and health would prevent him being able to do this much national and local American Press. This is a crucial opportunity for people across the country to see and hear directly from a living Tibetan Master on local and national television and radio. Other additional events we’d like to add are: radio advertising on NPR, print advertising in religious and spiritual newspapers, Interfaith Panel Discussions with religious and spiritual leaders across the country in various cities, an expanded educational guide, and on. To help raise these funds we now have three initiatives:

1. AUCTION: We are auctioning two precious items donated by the film protagonists themselves – Choegyal Namkhai Norbu and his son, Khyentse Yeshe – at my request:

We have extended the bidding for these items till Tuesday, March 20th at midnight USA EST.. The winner will be announced on March 21st, 2012.  To Bid on either of these items, please send us your bid to info@myreincarnationfilm.com.

2. GIFTS TO PARTICIPATE: If you’d like to make a smaller donation we are offering these beautiful gifts as a token of our appreciation for your support:

• Special Limited Edition Signed DVD of MY REINCARNATION Personally Signed by film protagonist Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
  Rinpoche will personally sign each DVD by hand. This DVD will be the US Commercial DVD (NTSC only) to be shipped in July 2012 Only. Limit 20
  Donation $500 – (shipping not included)

• Exclusive 3-Hour Assembly of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s Teachings 2002-2008
  Culled from the over 1,000 hours of footage shot for MY REINCARNATION this DVD is a precious keepsake of Rinpoche’s teachings in the millennium. Please note the creation of this DVD is a bit delayed, but it will be ready for shipping July 2012.
  Donation $250 – (shipping not included)

• Official Signed MY REINCARNATION poster by film protagonist, Khyentse Yeshe
  Khyentse personally signed these posters with a beautiful golden pen during his visit to the USA in 2011 for the Theatrical launch of the film. Limit 10.
  Donation $350 – (shipping not included)

• Mandarava Painting Print by Tibetan Master and Artist, Dugu Choegyal Rinpoche
  Limited Edition Print of the Mandarava Painting by Dugu Choegyal Rinpoche and personally signed by Dugu Choegyal Rinpoche himself! Dugu Choegyal oversaw the making of these prints personally for the cause of raising funds for the film.
  Donation $500 – (shipping not included)

To see full photos of the items you’d like to donate for, click here.

3. If You’d Like to Just Make a Donation of Any Amount without Any Reward: Just Click Here.

4. PRESENTING CREDIT ON THE FILM: If you are interested in making a larger donation – either as an individual, a Foundation, or a Corporation, we are also able to offer a Presenting Underwriting Credit on the film MY REINCARNATION to air as the Season Premiere Film on the National Primetime TV Series POV (PBS) for their 25th Anniversary Season on June 21st, 2012. The Underwriter would have their name on the head of the film as a Presenter for each airing, starting with the first night with expected audience of 1.8 million, which will go up to 20+ million, including all digital downloads and PBS web screening possibilities. Presenting Underwriting Credit will also appear on all POV collateral material including Press Releases, Press Kit, Website, etc. This is a great opportunity for enormous press exposure for an individual, a company, or a foundation.

Price of Underwriting Credit $100,000 Donation. Funds will be used to expand the national press campaign and outreach events for the film itself (Exact list of add on press activities and outreach events available upon request.). To find out more, please email us at info@myreincarnationfilm.com

At this moment, religion is a hot-button issue; all one need do is look to the 2012 presidential race. In such challenging times, however, it is imperative that a safe space be provided for interfaith discourse, in which the emphasis is placed on unifying those of varying faiths and spiritual paths, rather than dividing them. MY REINCARNATION explores universal, non-sectarian issues of father-son relationships; death and dying; and the meaning of our time on Earth. Buddhism, widely accepted in the West and considered by many to be a spiritual practice or philosophy rather than a religion, is an ideal place from which to start asking the big questions.

Please support the broadcast and outreach campaign of MY REINCARNATION in any way you can. And if you don’t have disposable income right now, you can help by becoming an outreach partner and spreading the word: MY REINCARNATION is coming to PBS on June 21st, 2012!

Thank you from my heart.

Love,

Jennifer