Last year, Frederick Joseph made headlines for a GoFundMe called the #BlackPantherChallenge, where he raised over $50,000 to send young kids to see the Marvel smash hit Black Panther; the campaign inspired a global movement that raised nearly one million dollars to send children around the globe to see the film. A similar campaign was later launched for the release of Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle in Time.
Joseph is now back with a #CaptainMarvelChallenge to get young girls to see Marvel’s first female-led film, Captain Marvel. Joseph said in a press release,
“Captain Marvel is Marvel Studios’ first female led film, and an important moment for representation. The lead character, Carol Danvers, is not only a superhero, she’s also an athlete and fighter pilot. She is a prime example of the fact that women can do anything, and there isn’t a better person to be playing her than Brie Larson, who has been one of the faces of numerous feminist movements such as TIME’S UP. I am inspired by Brie and women around the globe and look forward to sending as many girls as possible to see this film.”
Larsen tweeted about a #CaptainMarvelChallenge after seeing a tweet from a teacher about how her class of girls reacted to the trailer for the film. Girls, Inc. partnered with Joseph’s nonprofit, We Have Stories, to bring this challenge to life. The funds from this campaign will be used in the Greater Los Angeles area to allow girls to go see the film via Girls, Inc. The organization works with girls considered at risk in Title 1 schools in Los Angeles.
On International Women’s Day, Marvel Studios is releasing their first woman led film — Captain Marvel. #CaptainMarvel offers an opportunity to empower girls.
Which is why @WHSorg has launched the #CaptainMarvelChallenge to take girls to see the film.https://t.co/Zm0VKAhhlO
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) January 8, 2019
Every girl deserves to know she can be anything she wants to be — including a superhero. #CaptainMarvelChallenge https://t.co/h70BJO4N9R
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) January 8, 2019
The GoFundMe page, which you can donate to here, reads,
“Everyone should have an opportunity to see women in roles they can aspire to one day be, roles that show women as strong, smart and bold. From a teacher to a fighter pilot—or a superhero. This is an opportunity to continue to empower girls to be just that. Marvel Studios’ first female led film, Captain Marvel offers this type of important representation. We want to help girls from various backgrounds have the opportunity to see the film by providing tickets and renting out theaters.”
It also outlines the different ways the film is representative of different kinds of women, both in front of and behind the camera, which is also important for young girls. To know the film is co-directed and written by women matters, because that sets girls up to believe that they can also, one day, direct a major superhero film, or any film for that matter.
This campaign also points to a very important issue: We need to make sure that everyone has access to films that inspire them. Theater prices are higher than ever, which means that theatergoing becomes a treat for some who can’t afford those rates just to see a movie. Ensuring that kids get to see films like Black Panther, A Wrinkle in Time, and Captain Marvel is important, and the work that We Have Stories is doing cannot be overstated.
You can donate to the film at their GoFundMe page, and spread the word on social media. Captain Marvel has the potential to be a real cultural moment, and young girls everywhere deserve to be inspired.
(image: Marvel)
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