'Maestro' movie raises Kickstarter goal

A Kickstarter campaign to fund the final piece of "Maestro," a new documentary by Kentucky-born filmmaker David Donnelly, has made its goal and the movie is one step closer to its January world premiere.

The film follows Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra music director laureate Paavo Järvi, as well as superstar pianist Lang Lang, violinists Joshua Bell and Hilary Hahn and other stars over the course of two years as they perform to sold-out halls across the globe.

The 35-day campaign, which ended Monday, raised nearly $80,000 -- a large part of it in the final days. Nearly 200 people made contributions.

"$80,000 in a month is pretty remarkable," says Donnelly, a native of Lakeside Park., Kentucky. "We had a few big backers that came in and purchased screening packages (priced at $10,000 or more each), which brought us to the finish line."

The story, says Donnelly, is about the journey to the stage.

"I wanted to show a larger audience how much classical musicians at this level are like professional athletes," he says.

The film -- which has lots of Cincinnati scenes -- shows the drama and loneliness that happens at the top and goes behind the scenes in the music world. Donnelly, 33, has spent the last three years directing "Maestro." The film was produced by Luke McIntosh, a college friend of Donnelly's, and Ford D'Aprix.

Now that he has met this goal, Donnelly says he and his production team can pay for music rights and edit and mix the soundtrack. His new goal will be to finish in time for the premiere, to take place Jan. 10 in Philadelphia.

Donnelly's work as a writer, director and producer is available to more than a million educators across North America. "Maestro" will be his feature-length debut.