Although our Phase 1 fundraiser on IndieGoGo campaign has ended, you can still donate on our website! Click here to visit kidsofthegulf.com

Our Story

I may be a kid, but I still have a voice. - Devon Haas, Founder of Kids Army

More than 4,200 miles of coastline was affected by the BP oil spill of 2010, and problems like that don't disappear overnight. Two kids and a documentary crew are heading down there to shed some light on the devastating impact on kids and families in the area, and they need your help to do it.

Kids of the Gulf is a documentary film featuring 7-year-old Devon and 13-year-old Devin on their journey to the Gulf Coast to gather and share the stories of kids and families affected by the BP oil spill of 2010, along with what they are doing to adapt and recover. We don't hear much about the BP oil spill anymore, but that doesn't mean that the recovery effort is anywhere close to being over.

This oil spill is not over. It will be decades, I think, before we really understand the true impacts of the spill on the system.

 

What is IS Foundation? 

The Ian Somerhalder Foundation's mission is to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. Ian Somerhalder, best known for his roles in hit TV shows Vampire Diaries and Lost started The IS Foundation in December 2010, which provided the connecting point for all of us to ultimately come together to create this film. Ian's passion for the environment, animal habitat, and clean energy drew us all together, and IS Foundation continues to engage kids and youth in important work with environmental issues that impact people and wildlife around the world.

Kids of the Gulf is produced in friendship with IS Foundation, and 10% of the films proceeds will be proudly donated to ISF!

The Impact

The goal for Kids of the Gulf is to use exposure on network television, film festivals, and public screenings to share the uplifting stories of kids working with other kids on important environmental and social issues such as the BP oil spill. 

We ultimately want to inspire other kids to speak up and take action on issues that are important to them in their own communities. 

The Production

The production will consist of 2 professional camera crews for the filming, along with a professional photographer to capture still images of the film in production.  The behind the scenes making of the film will be shared in real time through social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook along with daily blog updates as we travel along the coast in November 2011.

YOUR Help Makes It Happen!

Through IndieGoGo, we are relying on YOU to help us make this project the best it can possibly be. Partner with us on this film and, together, we'll tell a story that will touch the lives of millions of people around the world and show the people of the Gulf coast that people still care about them and have not forgotten. This is a film that will make all of us proud! 

Our $50,000 goal is the bare minimum we need to cover production costs to make this project a reality for network TV. 

Contribute and earn a thank you credit for a film that will amaze, inspire and, frankly, entertain. This film provides a way to affect real change in the world by connecting kids and youth with the tools to make a difference. Become a part of it, and join our movement to empower kids and youth around the world!

We are seeking corporate partners for additional production costs, but we believe that individual donors will have the most impact and provide these kids with the ability to realize their dreams immediately. If for some reason we don't reach our entire goal of $50,000, we are still going to use the funds to document the journey of these kids to the coast with a limited production crew.

The Team

Brandon Sutton - Creator & Executive Producer
In the Summer of 2010, Brandon organized a volunteer expedition to the Gulf coast where he and a small team documented the oil spill's impact on local coastal communities through video, still photography, and real-time updates through social media channels.  That project, Spirit of the Gulf Coast, opened his eyes to the seriousness of the impact on people who live in the region, and he was inspired to continue following these developing stories despite the waning national attention on the issue. The project caught the eye of Kim Klingler and Ian Somerhalder from IS Foundation where he was introduced to Devon and Devin two kids committed to making a difference in the oil spill aftermath. That meeting combined their collective passion to share some of the untold human stories of this disaster with kids and families around the world.
 
Devon Haas - Founder of Kids Army worldwide
Devon found her voice through the IS Foundation and spearheaded the self-organized 'Kids Army, which connects hundreds of thousands of kids around the world together for environmental and social justice issues that matter most to kids today. With a worldwide twitter following of 27,500 (and counting) Devon is inspiring kids around the world to educate themselves, take action and be heard.
 
Devin Beach - Head of Kids Army Texas
Devin got involved with the Kids Army because it gave him a voice and the ability to reach out to other kids about issues that were important to him and our earth.  A few of his passions are finding new ways to help our environment as well as writing, singing, art, and making short films.
 
Leigh Halsema - Executive Producer
Leigh is well-versed in the TV & film production industry as well as associated entertainment industry facets.  Leigh has worked from Los Angeles to Atlanta with companies such as: MTV, Dick Clark Productions, and Buena Vista Productions.  Her most recent work includes creating and producing a kids TV series that deals with community and world issues and the benefit of sacrifice and the power of empathy to make a difference.  Leigh's true passion is to create media for kids that respects, enlightens and enables them toward compassion. 
 
Adam Dukes - Director/Producer
Adam Dukes is a writer, director and producer. He is currently creating a variety of projects including short films, a feature length documentary, commercials, and music videos. Adam's work is defined by his love for filmmaking and storytelling and he has established himself in the film and video community as an up and coming writer and director.

Film Outline

*subject to change

Atlanta
IS Foundation Youth & Kids Event, Future Leaders 4 Change
Interview with Kim Klingler and Ian Somerhalder
Devon & Devin talk to kids at the event, What do you know about the BP Oil Spill?  What would you like to know?

Grand Isle, Louisiana
Tour the community
Interview kids and families
Charter an offshore boat, see oil rigs, interview boat captain & crew
Explore the beaches and areas where oil is still present

New Orleans
Unleashed event
Tour Bio Diesel plant
Gulf South Youth Biodiesel Project
Explore Other Energy Alternatives & Biofuels Opportunity to feature celebrity initiatives

Coastal Alabama
Tour the community
Interview kids and families
Charter an offshore boat, see oil & gas rigs, interview boat captain & crew
Explore the beaches and areas where oil is still present

Awesome Rewards for Contributors:

$10 Contribution
See your Name on THE BIG SCREEN in the Thank You Credits for the film!
 
$25  Contribution
The above PLUS, an exclusive advanced digital screening of Behind the Scenes of Kids of the Gulf.
 
$75  Contribution
All the above PLUS, a super cool ultra special edition Kids of the Gulf documentary "CREW" t shirt

$150 Contribution
All the above, PLUS access to the private, behind the scenes section of the website during production. Get to see outtakes and bloopers from filming as the film is being made.
 
$250 Contribution
All the above PLUS, an invite for 2 to the Red Carpet premiere of the film in Atlanta (transportation not included)
 
$1000  Contribution
All the above PLUS, access to the private pre-party for the Atlanta premiere (transportation not included) along with an IS Foundation button or t-shirt signed by Ian Somerhalder!
 
$5000 Contribution
All the above (transportation not included) PLUS, personal a thank you email from Ian Somerhalder and earn an Associate Producer credit in the film.
 
$10,000 Contribution
All the above (transportation not included) PLUS, be an honorary film crew member for 2 hours during production and Ian Somerhalder will record a special thank you video tailored just for you!
 
ALL Contributions
Excellent karma for supporting and inspiring kids from the Gulf Coast and around the world...
       
 
All those involved in this film know that kids are the real change makers in their communities and believe strongly that the media they consume should be representative of their great potential. 

Other Ways You Can Help

Please Share with others - we need all the help we can get to get this production underway as quickly as possible.  Remember, by sharing this campaign with others, you're sharing the potential for kids to create big changes in the world.  Helps us out by spreading the word - thanks!