The Yunus Movie Project

Summary

In 2008, PI International committed to produce, distribute and market a feature film on Muhammad Yunus’ life work. Professor Muhammad Yunus received ithe Nobel Peace Prize for his work in developinging microcredit, a ‘Bank to the Poor,’ in December 2006. Yunus’ idea, simple and financially profitable, has helped, through its replication, lift over 100 million people from poverty, according to the UN.
This commitment seeks to bring to light, on an international scale, how microcredit and social business can help bring an end to world poverty. The film is an historical documentation of how the life of one human being can help to change the world. Through this commitment, PI International demonstrates a deep and profound respect for those people who have empowered themselves and worked extremely hard to bring themselves and their families out of poverty.

Approach

This commitment includes the production of a feature film, with its educational materials, distribution and outreach. The project seeks to bring to light, on an international scale, how microcredit and social business, can help bring an end to world poverty. The commitment also demonstrates a deep and profound respect for those people who have empowered themselves and worked extremely hard to bring themselves and their families out of poverty. It is also an historical document, based on fact, of how the life of one human being can help to change the world.
Professor Muhammad Yunus received in December 2006 the Nobel Peace Prize for his action in developing microcredit, also called the ‘Bank to the Poor’. His idea, simple and financially profitable, has helped, through its replication, lift over 100 million people from poverty, according to the UN.
But still many people around the world, both those needing access to Microcredit, and those in the developed world who could help create Social Businesses and help to spread microcredit (and we are seeing even more so today that microcredit is useful in the West, in the United States, Europe, etc.) are not at all aware of what Professor Yunus has done and how vital it is to the alleviation of poverty. We are still surprised by how many people have no idea, or only a vague idea of how microcredit can help, and how important social business is to the future of the world’s economy. Also, those people who have escaped poverty via microcredit also realize its importance, but their voices are not being heard often enough.
The commitment has already reached out to foundations and organizations around the world to help develop educational materials and teaching tools, to go along with the film itself. Additional DVD materials will be included with the film, and distributed via telecoms in rural areas, as well as in big city cinemas throughout the West. The goals are to reach both those in need of microfinance education and those who will be inspired to support microfinance and create social businesses.
Background: At present, The Yunus Movie Project/YBJ Productions in Paris and its partners will implment the commitment. The next steps will be taken in partnership with US and/or UK based production companies and distributors, an Indian production company and distributor, a Scandinavian co-producer and distributor and various telecoms as co distributors and foundations which will help to create the educational materials and distribute them.
The viewing public – including the poor, who normally don’t have access to films, as well as students,entrepreneurs and CEOs – will benefit from this film.
Measures of Success:
– 500 copies of the DVD for pro-bono distribution in 50 Least Developed Countries.
– 195 countries in which the movie will be distributed.
Pre-production phase 2008-2009
Production Summer Fall 2009
Post-production phase Winter/early spring 2010
Launch late (pring 2010; International distribution via studios and telecoms
Educational Initiatives began almost at the inception and will continue until late 2011.

Background

At present, The Yunus Movie Project/YBJ Productions in Paris and its partners will implment the commitment. The next steps will be taken in partnership with US and/or UK based production companies and distributors, an Indian production company and distributor, a Scandinavian co-producer and distributor and various telecoms as co distributors and foundations which will help to create the educational materials and distribute them.
The viewing public – including the poor, who normally don’t have access to films, as well as students,entrepreneurs and CEOs – will benefit from this film.
Measures of Success:
– 500 copies of the DVD for pro-bono distribution in 50 Least Developed Countries.
– 195 countries in which the movie will be distributed.
Pre-production phase 2008-2009
Production Summer Fall 2009
Post-production phase Winter/early spring 2010
Launch late (pring 2010; International distribution via studios and telecoms
Educational Initiatives began almost at the inception and will continue until late 2011.

Progress Update

April 2009
– Successfully completed a second round of fundraising. Secured an additional 1.5 million euros, including some investment from CGI members.
– PI International hosted events for Professor Yunus in Beijing, with CEOs and VIPs from China and other countries.
– The Yunus Movie Project was featured at a CGI event Paris in May 2009.
– Signed one of the most successful and well-respected film producers on to the project. In serious discussions to recruit one of the most successful film directors in recent history.
– Began to create a database of microcredit, MFI, and social business names and organizations. In contact with many of them who are following the project.
– PI International has also begun discussing the rural distribution of the film in developing countries with organizations such as UNICEF and are just beginning to reach out to companies to discuss possible partnerships.
– Educational materials are also being collected for future use when the film is released and initial meetings with Ubisoft, a video game company, has been held to create an interactive game to help ‘build a world without poverty.’

Partnership Opportunities

SEEKING: Financial resources, implementing partners, media and marketing assistance.
OFFERING: Implementing partners