Hear Me Out

Aotearoa's first deaf MP Mojo Mathers has long fought for her voice to be heard. Now with one final bill in parliament, can she ensure all people with disabilities in New Zealand will be heard?

In 2018 Aotearoa, people like Mojo are still excluded from the very system meant to represent them.The Election Access Fund Bill, currently before New Zealand Parliament, could open the doors and make democracy more accessible for the one in four kiwis who experience disability. Mojo has one last chance in her fight for equal representation to change the shape of democracy in New Zealand forever. If unsuccessful, her long-fought campaign for equal access will be in vain and her communities' voice will remain silenced.

Why is the Bill so important? 

Our film explores participation of People with Disabilities (PWD) in our democracy at a crucial point in time where this is on the line in Parliament. This Fund would cover disability-related costs for PWD standing for office, remove physical barriers obstructing election participation, and provide funding for services to make election education and local government participation attainable. Right now we have the opportunity to really put PWD rights on the public agenda, and we hope you will join us.

About our Team and this Project

Like Mojo, our director Jason is a person with lived experience of disability and we are committed to treating this topic with sensitivity and respect. This film is looking at the critical issue of what it means for one quarter of our population to be locked out of politics. It will reflect on salient issues of representation, diversity, and equality in the context of a current Bill before Parliament. We want ALL New Zealanders to have the opportunity to make a change and create real impact in our society. While we explore Mojo's story, we're prompted to think about our own representation and how this shapes our world. "Nothing About Us Without Us".

How will your donations be used?

Making a film is an ambitious task and we really need all the support we can get. We've set our first crowdfunding goal at $2,000.00 but we hope to raise an additional $2,000 over this month to aid us in travel to Wellington for parliamentary research, community screenings and outreach, as well as our camera and equipment rental. You'll be pleased to know that donations made to this project are tax deductible, and once you have donated you'll receive a receipt for your tax records!

Why Crowdfunding?

It is extremely difficult to fund short documentaries in New Zealand. Crowdfunding is a great way to get around this challenge and to also include audiences in the filmmaking journey. Lucky for us, our short has been selected to be made as part of the Loading Docs initiative. Along with principal funder NZ On Air and with support from the New Zealand Film Commission and Te M?ngai P?ho, they want to see the film get made just as much as we do. Loading Docs will provide an additional $4,450 and cover post-production costs, but only as long as we reach our funding goal, and we need your help to do this! 

Where will the film go?

With over a quarter of the New Zealand population being affected by disability, we know that our film has the potential to reach a wide audience, and create meaningful impact for communities. Our film will be released online through the Loading Docs website so it will be yours to share, watch, and treasure for free as well as being shown at several public community screenings. We believe film has the power to encourage positive change, and by sharing Mojo's courageous journey, we might inspire and activate support for her cause. 

Would you like to join us? 

We'd love you to be with us as we witness this milestone piece of legislation go under the hammer. Not only could this directly affect the lives of one quarter of our population, but if successful, it will encourage equality and ultimately make our beautiful nation a better and fairer place to live. Thank you for taking the time to check out our project. Every little bit counts and we greatly appreciate your support! You can also follow our journey on social media [@ActivateFilm] or check out our website https://www.activate.film/