Media Process Educational Films

Do you want to help fight the despair and dysfunction that plague our politics and government and inspire hope for our democracy’s next generation?  If you do,  the documentary film Mikva!  Democracy Is A Verb is being made for you.

GOFUNDME GOAL REACHED!  CONTRIBUTIONS STILL ACCEPTED FOR NATIONAL PBS BROADCAST.  Our goal of raising $60,000 by September was achieved on August 25!  We are also excited to report that we have located more archival film footage of Ab than anticipated! That means more licensing fees than we anticipated.  Every documentary film embraces challenges likes this.  Therefore, we will continue to solicit and accept contributions to our GoFundMe campaign.  If any funds are left over after completion of our film, they will be transferred to the Mikva Challenge.  We are now much closer to our ultimate goal of producing an outstanding film that PBS outlets nationwide will want to broadcast after its debut next Spring on WTTW (Channel 11 in Chicago).  
 
 The film will show how examples set by Abner J. Mikva and his legacy organization, the Mikva Challenge, can counter the malaise and disunity that are weakening the pillars of our democracy and impart a sense of civic duty to a new generation.  Mikva, a former Legislator/Judge/White House Counsel, earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his courage in challenging entrenched interests like the NRA and Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley’s machine and his ability to work effectively with colleagues across the political spectrum while maintaining the highest ethical standards.  The Mikva Challenge has engaged more than 70,000 high schoolers in politics and policy making.

“He believed in young people,” said Bob Perkins, who was 24 years old when he managed Mikva’s final Congressional campaign. 

“Ab… inspired the next generation, including me.”  - President Barack Obama

Director Bob Hercules, a 2018 Peabody Award recipient for Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, has made films on many Chicago institutions, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet, Saul Alinsky, Father Michael Pfleger and President Obama.   Seven of his previous films have been broadcast on PBS.

Co-Producer Sanford Horwitt served on Mikva’s congressional and campaign staffs in the 1970s and has previously written biographies of Saul Alinsky and U.S. Senator Russ Feingold.  He conducted more than 100 hours of oral interviews with Mikva, which resulted in his most recent book:  “Conversations With Abner Mikva”.

The Mikva family and the Mikva Challenge are cooperating fully with the making of the film.

We know we can achieve our goal with your support! We welcome any size of donation.  For people who make substantial donations, the following rewards are offered:

            $50, a private, exclusive link to a digital version of the film;

            $150, a private, exclusive link to a digital version of the film and 2 tickets to the donor’s choice of a special screening of the film;

            $250, a private, exclusive link to a digital version of the film, 2 tickets to the donor’s choice of a special screening of the film and a copy of “Conversations With Abner Mikva”;

            $500, a private, exclusive link to a digital version of the film, 2         tickets to the donor’s choice of a special screening of the film, a copy of “Conversations With Abner Mikva” and an acknowledgment in the film’s credits;

            $750, a private, exclusive link to a digital version of the film, 2 tickets to the donor’s choice of a special screening of the film, a copy of “Conversations With Abner Mikva”, an acknowledgment in the film’s credits and an invitation to a VIP reception at the special screening with the filmmakers.

All donations go to Media Process Educational Films, the producer of record, toward the completion of Mikva! Democracy Is A Verb and are considered a charitable tax deduction.

If you prefer to mail a check, make it payable to Media Process Educational Films (Tax ID EIN: 363723689) and mail it to 1327 W. Washington Blvd., Suite 103, Chicago, IL 60607

Please visit our social media pages:

Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikvaDocumentary/
Follow Us on Twitter: @MikvaA 
Follow Us on Instagram: mikva.documentary 
Thank you for your support!