Documentary Australia Foundation

Miss Nikki and the Tiger Girls

About the film

Meet Australian expat ‘Miss Nikki’ and her Tiger Girls - Myanmar’s answer to
90’s British pop sensation the Spice Girls. Baby, Chilli, Electro, Tricky and
Missy are the subversive young women from the all-singing all-dancing girl
group who hope to gain success on the international music scene. A big
dream in a country ruled by a military junta resistant to outside, especially
western, influence. This intimate documentary follows the fate of six young
women who are literally putting their lives on the line to sing about freedom.

Funding amount Sought

50000

Total Project Budget

AUD $499600

Length of Production

80 minutes

Stage of Production

Production

How does the project meet the aims of a philanthropic foundation?

In a very real way, Miss Nikki and the Tiger Girls is an expression of girl power. It is about the universal struggle of young people to be free to express themselves and live the lives they want to lead. In a country where singing and dancing at the same time are traditionally not thought decorous, and where lyrics must be approved by the government censor, the Tiger Girls are an embodiment of the winds of change blowing through Myanmar.

What outcomes do you hope to achieve by making this film and how will you measure its impact?

The outcome for this film is to reveal for the first time the lives of ordinary, extraordinary young people in a country that is virtually unknown to western audiences. Miss Nikki and the Tiger Girls' provides the audience with a unique insight into the lives of young women in a country that is on the cusp of huge social change. The Tiger Girls' journey from copy-track singers to composing their own songs, dressing up in rock-chick outfits and learning contemporary dance moves will captivate audiences young and old around the world, as they sing their hearts out to achieve their dream of stardom.
The impact of the film will be measured through social media interaction such as Facebook hits, numbers of film festival screenings, number of countries purchasing licenses and media coverage about the film and the girls.

What is your education and outreach strategy

In Myanmar Iris Pictures is developing a grass-roots outreach and engagement strategy aimed at the young people of Myanmar. The strategy is aligned with the low tech but highly effective distribution channel that operates all over the country where young people go to their local teahouse to watch and buy VCD’s and DVDs and swap and share them with friends. This is a rich opportunity to use the Tiger Girls as an inspirational model for young people in a way that builds gender equity in a constructive way that will not be construed as a direct threat to the regime.
In the US ITVS (an affiliate of national broadcaster PBS) is aligned with the UN Women and Girls empowerment initiative and is developing themed content for their curated Independent Lens slot. The potential to reach a broad based U.S. audience is assured.
Women Make Movies have also expressed interest in distributing the film.
Comprehensive study guides will form part of the educational outreach strategy. These will be prepared by ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) and will be appropriately focused for school and university students around the world.

Who are the filmmakers responsible for the project?

Writer/Director: Juliet Lamont (The Snowman 2010)
Producer: Jessica Douglas-Henry (Accentuate the Positive 2011; About Men, About Women 2009)
Cinematographer: Tom Jefferson
Editor: Melanie Sandford ASE (The Snowman 2010)