A FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
This documentary film is the story of two unlikely individuals whose lives connected by random chance. Together they have become a catalyst for change in Nigeria. Mike Arnold, the MAYOR of Blanco, TX, U.S.A. and Ms. Hanatu found themselves sitting together in a shanty outside Abuja in an IDP camp. Mike heard a story of terrifying loss and heartache. Ms. Hanatu is an esteemed school administrator and teacher who lost everything overnight to radicalized Islamist terrorists. She and many in her small town lost their homes, many lost their lives, their heritage, and their futures. Ms. Hanatu and her daughters were able to escape through the night leaving everything behind. They were the fortunate ones.
The next few days were a blur of border crossings and travel in search of a safe place. Eventually she was taken to an IDP camp and informed she would need to build a hut and find a way to survive. The only glimmer of hope was that some of the other children had escaped and she was able to reunite with them as she heard their joyful cries, “Teacher is here.” This chant lingered on her heart as she began to pray for solutions and miracles.
The tall Texan who walked into her hut was not what she expected. Mike had found her by happenstance as his Nigerian ministry friend had suggested they visit an IDP camp. Mike had become a regular visitor to Nigeria for speaking engagements, but never heard the term IDP. Most people do not know this acronym means internally displaced persons. As he heard her story, he had no concept of how he could help her or the thousands of children and families he saw, all victims of violent assaults. They had no aid, no voice, and no schools.
Ms. Hanatu asked for only one thing. “Please educate our children so they will have a future.”
Mike said yes to that call. Me & Ms. Hanatu is a film about three things: injustice, faith, and the value of education.
The Injustice and Slaughter Continues.
Villages and towns are attacked, churches and homes burned, and lives taken. The land is confiscated and repopulated with the terrorist groups.
Mike Arnold has lived most of his life as a serial entrepreneur in various fields, including media, non-profit direction, traditional industries and now as a mayor. He’s a been a change-maker in every field and pioneered new approaches and solutions. He is also known as a truth-talker and for having a very generous heart. Mike took immediate action and connected with local Nigerian pastors and created the groundwork for funding and administrating schools in three different IDP camps. It didn’t happen overnight, but slowly the funds came and the vision expanded. Recently, Mike was introduced to The House of Recab, where another educator, Marilyn Akaakaa, has been educating children rescued from the same circumstances. Driven by the smiles and progress of the children within the camps, he knew that there was more that could be done.
Recent events have caused an acceleration and required a courageous initiative. One of the camps received a notice to vacate immediately. Mike and the team jumped into action and were able to stop this action by notifying government connections in the US and Nigeria.
His understanding of the situation was changing. He began to see that his work needed to bring together a greater understanding and awareness in the US for aid, but also in Nigeria itself.
Again, he found himself in unexpected company, this time some of Nigeria’s most brilliant and accomplished men and women who allowed him to share his perspective. This was not in a hut, but a land rover on safari. He heard the heart of these leaders for their country. Together a coalition was forming to stop the injustice’s of their countrymen and the tragic slaughter driven by greed, hatred, and religious persecution.
The film will feature Mike and Ms. Hanatu, along with other educators, and local IDP advocates, the prominent government leaders, and the children and families they are serving. It will prove the joy of education and the triumph of hope in their hearts.
Not everyone is behind this coalition. The same forces that slaughtered and displaced these people are still there. By uniting together all the good in the country of Nigeria, they can overcome the evil forces that have haunted this beautiful country’s history. Africa will arise and redefine its future to include unity and hope.
Mike and the Local Team Call Out For Change
The Producers and Filmmakers
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Mike Arnold
Prior to the Gwoza Massacre in the summer of 2014, Hanatu Ango was the principal of a local primary school. Her story of escape from Boko Haram and survival with her three young daughters is shockingly traumatic.
After witnessing the slaughter of loved ones, being pursued by bloodthirsty jihadis and herded around with a multitude running for their lives, they and thousands of others eventually found their way to Abuja, about 450 miles southwest of her lifelong home in north-east Borno state.
Hanatu said when they first drove into Abuja, in a van stuffed with other survivors and all their worldly possessions, she told her daughters they were going to be okay. Surrounded by a metropolis and wealth they’d never imagined, it appeared they’d made it nearly to heaven.
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Joan Tankersley
Joan Tankersley, a Nashville-based Creative Producer, has been a catalyst in Entertainment for over three decades. Her early career as an award-winning Creative Director in the Music Industry led to work across the US, Mexico, and Europe. In addition to this foundation, she has work as a production designer for feature films, a wardrobe supervisor for multiple global productions, and, ultimately, a multi-camera director and production company partner in the luxury market. As a Live Broadcast Concert specialist, she’s worked with the BET Network, the NFL Super Bowl, and the Ryman Auditorium to produce engaging concert performances in multiple genres. As a film Sales Agent, she has secured distribution for a series of feature docs from a French filmmaking group and led the marketing initiatives for their successful US release. Throughout the decades her Entertainment marketing services have propelled numerous films, concerts, and music artists to success.
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Jeff Gibbs
A film professional of over 26 years, Jeff Gibbs has been integrally involved in most aspects of the production of film and television.
As an artist, he has a unique understanding of what makes a successful project, whether stage, commercial, TV or film. And as a business asset, Jeff brings a talent for forging together the functioning network of professional resources necessary for development and production of marketable films.
Working with industry leading companies including Universal Studios, Paramount Entertainment, MTV Studios, NBC and ABC.
Directors that have worked with Jeff recognize he is a visual mathematician; able to see the big picture and creatively solve problems. Having volunteered to serve in Nigeria since 2021.
Producer’s Statement
The producers have filmed this unfolding story over the last 5 years. We will complete our documentary narrative with our last filming in Nigeria in the late Summer of 2024. We will move into post production and placement in the international marketplace in early 2025. Join us in our journey. We need your vital support.
The producers and Ms. Hanatu thank you.
Nigeria is a rich country in many ways. It is a complex culture in the process of growth and hopeful transformation. Children are the future of Nigeria. They all matter. Educating their minds and their hearts is the number one focus.
Production Overview
Our plan: Raise global awareness for meaningful change
Me & Ms. Hanatu is what we’re terming a “documentary plus.” At its heart is the production and distribution of a full-length documentary film. With gripping subject matter and our world-class production pedigree, we are confident this film will gain prominent distribution, positive critical reception, and spark much-needed dialogue among an international audience.
We aim to generate significant visibility and impact through strategic PR related to our groundbreaking investigative reporting and relief efforts to build public awareness of this issue into a crescendo leading to the film's release. Ultimately, this will translate to direct action – grassroots, institutional, and governmental – to bring aid to these multitudes of displaced children, end the violence, and restore peace to this vital part of the world.
PRODUCTION STATUS AND TIMELINE
Our production team regularly produces documentaries and TV shows for the most prominent US networks. Our film will be of the highest technical quality by US and international standards, and we believe it will be a contender for top awards worldwide.
Actively working on this since 2019, we have invested in principal photography to capture the foundation of the documentary story in real time as events have progressed. We currently have approximately 80% of the filming needed to finish the documentary.
Corresponding with our ongoing work to curate compelling information, content, and characters, we are laying the groundwork for the efficient completion of this film.
For films such as this, editing is the major work. To gain a head start on this, we have trimmed, annotated, archived, logged, and organized this massive amount of footage onto a narrative timeline. We have identified what is necessary to finish principal photography, which can be done rather quickly.
Much of the content needed for completion covers past events, so production will require professional staging/acting, some special effects, etc. Post-production will require art/graphics, music, titles, etc., plus all the necessary legal work required for first-tier distribution.
Now, funding is needed in the Summer of 2024 to complete production of Me & Ms. Hanatu and be ready for the festival markets in late Fall of 2024 and Spring of 2025.
DISTRIBUTION
Me & Ms. Hanatu will connect with audiences for multiple reasons:
It is a redemptive and inspiring story for children against monumental injustice,
It brings together two unlikely people into a shared human story, both of whom are articulate, engaging, and
relatable, and who reflect broad diversity,
It reveals never-before-reported facts about the root causes of this key issue, which have universal implications,
It shows the triumph of light over darkness; a message of hope.
Considering the content, PR strategy, and top-pedigreed production team (with their deep relationship with all top networks and ability to generate massive exposure for the project), an international distribution deal of some form is certain, most likely with Netflix, Amazon or such. Of course, we cannot promise this film will be a blockbuster or generate a huge profit. Investment is a risk.
Our plan is to begin distribution in Nigeria/Africa, to generate a core audience and raise awareness. This will provide an ideal launchpad to compete in the major international film festivals: Cannes, Venice, Sundance, etc. These are the premier global marketplace for signing international distribution deals: theatrical and streaming options for the film. Combined with a robust PR/social and marketing push, we can raise awareness of the film and the story we are telling in top markets globally. Join us as an investor in supporting this crucial production. Thank you for your interest in our documentary film now in production, Me & Ms. Hanatu.