Word is definitely spreading about a powerful documentary telling the story of LGBT men and women in Uganda, including David Kato who was among the leaders of the LGBT equality movement in the country until his murder almost exactly one year ago.  The powerful stories of these advocates will be presented to audiences on the big screen when Call Me Kuchu premieres at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 11.  Until then, the filmmakers have taken to Kickstarter to raise necessary funds to put the final touches to this moving and important story.

Filmmakers Malika Zouhali-Worrall and Katherine Fairfax Wright started following David Kato in January 2010 soon after Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality bill was introduced in the Parliament.  Kato worked tirelessly to combat the bill and attempt to secure legal protections for LGBT or "Kuchu" men and women in the country.  Zouhali-Worrall and Fairfax Wright shadowed Kato as he spoke against the bill on television, at the United Nations and in the courts.  While the two filmmakers where going through the footage and getting ready to edit it, the main subject of their documentary, and their newfound friend, was murdered in his home.  They immediately felt the responsibility to go back to Uganda and document the death of the country's most outspoken LGBT equality advocate.

Call Me Kuchu tells the story of David Kato as he spoke out in favor of equality in his country.  It also shows his courage and the spark he initiated among the members of the Kuchu community to share their story by telling the world about the struggles they face, the consequences of the lack of legal protections in Uganda and the sense of community they created as they try to move forward and continue David's work.

The filmmakers now need help to put the final touches on the film before it premieres in Berlin where many audience members will have the opportunity to see this important story.  Their Kickstarter campaign aims to raise funds that will not only help with the sound mixing, color correction and creating tapes but will also help fly and secure visas for Ugandan advocates featured in the documentary who will be able to speak in person about their struggles to some of the most prominent filmmakers in the world.  To learn more, head to the project's Kickstarter page and watch the trailer below.

Call Me Kuchu - Trailer from Call Me Kuchu on Vimeo.