Where Anime Characters and Documentary Filmmaking Meet

Hauula, HI, April 17, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Meet Makani, the anime storyteller created by Kahuku High School student Kuyo Uli’i for the in-development documentary series titled Winds of Change. Makani, whose name in the Hawaiian language means wind, and her human teammates Sariah Howard and Umi Jensen will be whisked away to Ghana, Africa in early May to begin filming an episode for the series that will document the efforts of Elements4Change—a group that is laying the groundwork to pilot a novel concept of collaboration across the education, energy, water and agriculture industries to help a rural village meet basic necessities.

The Winds of Change documentary series collects and shares stories of forces for good from around the world but it is through anime characters like Makani, that the makers of the series hope to capture the imagination of viewers and tell important stories of individuals inviting positive change in lives and communities. So, why the anime? Creative Director of the series, Sariah Howard, explains:

“Documentaries always have a similar style, and anime in documentaries hasn’t been done before. Anime often represents a fantasy world and highlights unique and creative elements of characters, things, places, and concepts, while a documentary is capturing real life people in action. So we are combining the dream world with the real world and using anime to show the possibilities of big dreams, things we don’t think are possible, things to invite people to see, think, feel, and do good.”

To help get this concept off the ground, the Winds of Change team has planned and launched a crowd funding campaign to raise $7,000. The first season of Winds of Change will focus on Africa with episodes from Ghana, Congo, Nigeria, Zambia, the Ivory Coast, and more, More information about their initiative can be found here: http://rkthb.co/40601 and their journey can be followed here: https://www.facebook.com/WindsOfChangeDocumentary