IZ Documentary

About the offering

The IZ Documentary is a feature-length documentary film project currently in final post-production, being produced through IZ Flick LLC (or a successor single-purpose entity), based in Los Angeles, CA. The film tells the story of Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (known as IZ), the Native Hawaiian singer-songwriter whose ukulele medley of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World' became a global phenomenon with over 1.5 billion streams and a quadruple-platinum certification. The film explores IZ's life, his roots in a Hawai'i shaped by American annexation and cultural displacement, his rise from the margins of island life, and his death at age 38 before his signature recording achieved its iconic status. The production is led by director and producer Jennifer Akana Sturla, a Native Hawaiian filmmaker and Sundance Institute Native and Indigenous Producing Fellow. Jason Momoa (Aquaman, Game of Thrones) is attached as Executive Producer, along with Anne Russell and Amy Taylor. The cultural advisor is Brian Keaulana, a Native Hawaiian waterman and producer who grew up alongside IZ. Additional key team members include music supervisor Andrea von Foerster (Yellowstone, Landman) and supervising sound editor Joe Dzuban (Aquaman, The Conjuring). To date, production has completed more than 60 hours of footage and 55+ interviews, with multi-location shoots across Hawai'i, California, Florida, and Tahiti. Production support has been provided by Full Sail University, including use of its $3M virtual production stage. The campaign is seeking a minimum of $180,000 (as part of an ultimate goal of $550,000) to complete a festival cut, with the larger sum dedicated significantly to music licensing. Funds will be used for finishing editing, archival research and clearance, music supervision, sound post-production, VFX, legal and delivery expenses, and festival submissions. The film has been financed to date through early private investment, in-kind support, and director equity/deferred compensation. Investors participate in a revenue share: 50% of Net Revenues are allocated to the investor pool on a pro-rata basis, with investors first recouping 100% of their capital, then continuing to receive distributions up to a return cap of 135% (for the standard tier). The film targets major festival premieres in 2027, with revenue expected from streaming platform licensing, television sales, international distribution, educational screenings, and long-tail digital revenues. Comparable films cited include Summer of Soul, Searching for Sugar Man, 20 Feet from Stardom, and RBG.

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