Upcoming feature-length documentary MILKED, which unearths the environmental and animal welfare repercussions of the dairy industry, has eclipsed its crowdfunding goal of $NZD100,000. And, it took just 12 days.

In response, the team behind the movie have increased their goal by $20,000 to help amplify the message further. Additionally, an anonymous donor has committed to matching funds up to $100,000. So, every dollar donated so far will be doubled.

James Cameron: a ‘wake-up call’

MILKED pulls back the curtain on Aotearoa’s (the Māori name for New Zealand) dairy industry. The country is the largest exporter of dairy in the world. 

The film includes interviews from the likes of renowned ethologist Dame Jane Goodall and Cowspiracy co-director Keegan Kuhn. Environmentalist and actor Suzy Amis Cameron also features in the movie.

Cameron’s partner, Academy Award-winning director James Cameron, has placed his support behind the project too. He said the film is a “powerful wake-up call that the world is getting MILKED.”

MILKED documentary

The movie follows activist Chris Huriwai as he travels the country to learn more about the industry. There, Huriwai speaks directly to dairy farmers as well as experts in the fields of medicine, economy, ecology, and politics. 

“We originally planned to investigate the environmental and health impacts of all animal agriculture in Aotearoa. But once we got further into researching, it was obvious that dairy was the story to tell,” MILKED director and producer Amy Taylor said. 

“And with dairy giant Fonterra inviting Chris to meet with them and then backing out, we became even more curious about what was going on.”

Funding goals

The funds already raised by MILKED will go towards final edits, paying contractors and producers, and legal counsel. It will also help fund marketing, including media stunts like the recently erected billboards that “congratulate” the dairy industry on being Aotearoa’s largest polluter.

The crowdfunding earnings will also help create an educational version of the film. This copy will be distributed to various schools and universities.

Further, the money will help develop impact campaigns, including those supporting farmers who are transitioning out of the dairy industry. And, lobbying for the government to remove dairy from schools and nutritional guidelines in favor of a plant-based focus.

The stretch goal of $20,000 will be used to produce new content from the more than 100 hours of interviews conducted for MILKED. It will also go towards the production of a short film about a dairy farmer moving out of animal agriculture.

“We’re so grateful for the incredible support we’ve already received from around the world having only just launched our crowdfunding campaign,” said director Taylor. “It shows how many people are passionate about exposing the truth about the dairy industry, and looking at a better way forward.”

The film drops on March 18 via WaterBear, the first free streaming network “dedicated to the future of our planet,” and will be hosted for free on Plant Based News from March 26.

Those interested in contributing to the crowdfunding campaign can do so here. To visit MILKED’s website, see here.