View details of this raise on Seedstage

San Pedro, CA

Finishing a documentary in post-production to share Israel Kamakawiw’ole’s story behind a global Hawaiian music classic and prepare it for festivals and distribution.

• Executive Producer Jason Momoa: Jason Momoa is attached as executive producer for the feature-length IZ Documentary.
• Story Behind a Global Recording: The film centers on Israel Kamakawiw’ole and the context of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.”
• Substantial Production Completed: More than 60 hours of footage have been captured and 55 interviews have been completed to form the editorial base.
• Final Post-Production Finishing: Proceeds support finishing editor work, assistant editor support, archival research and clearance, and music supervision needed for delivery.
• Post-Production and Distribution Prep: Funds help cover sound post-production, visual effects with AI-assisted visuals, legal and delivery expenses, and festival submissions and publicity.

IZ Documentary is raising completion and distribution funds to finish a feature-length film about Israel Kamakawiw’ole, the Native Hawaiian artist behind “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.” The project is already in final post-production after more than 60 hours of footage and 55 completed interviews, with Jason Momoa attached as executive producer. Proceeds are intended to cover remaining editorial and technical work for a festival-ready cut, including finishing editor and assistant editor support, archival research and clearance, and music supervision for the recording that shaped Hawaiian music’s international reach.

The budget also supports sound post-production, visual effects and AI-assisted visuals, plus legal and delivery expenses required for distribution workflows. Funds will further cover festival submissions and publicity to help position the film for premiere in 2027. Production relied on multi-location filming across Hawai’i, California, Florida, and Tahiti, with ongoing support from Full Sail University through professional sound stages, virtual production facilities, and post-production resources. Interviews with artists, cultural voices, family members, and key figures connected to IZ’s life and legacy provide the editorial foundation for a sourced account of a modern Native Hawaiian experience. The finished film is prepared to enter the marketplace as a complete story behind the voice and its enduring music.

Company Info

IZ Documentary is producing and finishing a feature music documentary about Israel Kamakawiwoole, combining extensive interviews with post-production work for festival and distribution readiness.

IZ Documentary produces a feature-length film about Israel Kamakawiwoole, the Native Hawaiian singer whose medley Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World became a global hit. The project focuses on the artist and the historical and cultural context that shaped his life, using a narrative built from firsthand accounts and sourced material.

The production has completed extensive interview work and multi-location filming across Hawaii and other regions. It is currently in final post-production, with editorial, finishing, music supervision, archival research and clearance, sound post-production, and visual effects support to create a deliverable cut suitable for film festivals and distribution.