THIS IS NATIONAL WAKE

by Mirissa Neff

  • $15,000.00

    Goal
  • $4,154.00

    Raised
  • 36

    Days to go
Raised Percent :
27.69%
Minimum amount is $ Maximum amount is $
$
, United States (US)
This is National Wake tells the electrifying story of a multiracial punk rock band, in 1970s South Africa, that defied every law of apartheid to taste freedom. 

This is National Wake traces the wild rise and tragic fall of a multiracial South African punk band, dubbed “the band that defied apartheid,” whose members risked everything to taste freedom. This debut feature, steeped in astonishing archival footage of a 1970s anti-racist counterculture that few know existed, reveals a band whose music and memories comprise a profound meditation on how history is lived through art and in our minds.

This is National Wake was produced in association with XTR, with support from ITVS. It premiered in competition at the prestigious Sheffield DocFest and has won awards at festivals around the world.


A note from Director Mirissa Neff

I was gripped by National Wake’s story from the first moment I heard their music in 2013, and making a film about South Africa’s apartheid-era punk rock heroes has been the most rewarding experience of my artistic life. These days the question I’m asked most is, “How can I stream This is National Wake?”

The film has received invitations to be showcased on prestigious online platforms, at cinemas and universities around the world, and it is poised to be available on streamers like Amazon, iTunes, and Netflix. But for any of this to happen, we need to pay final archival fees with organizations like the Associated Press and Reuters.

Your tax deductible donation will help us cross this finish line and finally launch the inspiring story of National Wake into the world!


Our Team
 
Directed by: Mirissa Neff
Produced by: Mirissa Neff & Joshua Jelly-Schapiro
Co-Produced by: Nadine Kadey
National Wake Band Footage Produced by: Nadine Kadey
National Wake Band Footage Cinematography by: Nadine Kadey & Robin Muir
Executive Producers: Kathryn Everett, Kweku Mandela & Bryn Mooser
 

 
DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.   Please note donations made via credit card incur 3% fees.  If that’s something you want to avoid, email [email protected] to set up a wire or bank transfer. Or, checks can be sent to UnionDocs 352 Onderdonk Ave., Ridgewood NY, 11385 (please make it clear it’s for this project)

Rewards

$500.00

Thank You Credit - Your name will appear in the thank you credit roll in the closing credits.

6 backers

$3,000.00

Associate Producer - You will be listed as an associate producer on the film in the closing credits.

0 backers

$10,000.00

Co-Executive Producer - You will be listed as a co-executive producer on the film in the closing credits.

0 backers
Name Donate Amount Date
Danny and Karen Levin $103.00 June 24, 2025
Tanushri Kumar $500.00 January 07, 2025
Michael O'Gara $100.00 December 31, 2024
Beth Marchant $50.00 December 30, 2024
stephen talbot $100.00 December 25, 2024
Jeff Bailey $500.00 December 13, 2024
Steve Schapiro $200.00 December 04, 2024
Andrea Kihlstedt $500.00 December 03, 2024
Anonymous $500.00 December 03, 2024
Chris Buck $1,000.00 December 02, 2024
Nick VAN ALSTINE III $500.00 December 02, 2024
Julie Scelfo $101.00 December 02, 2024