“333” previewed at the United Nations to 592 people, receiving three separate ovations. Several women were brought to tears, and men offered their services pro bono. Since then, “333” has been screened to positive acclaim before select audiences in Europe and North America. And offers have been received to screen the film at the Vatican and the European Parliament, two potential media opportunities.
We held a screening at our Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and received yet another offer to screen “333” to the President of Afghanistan.
In Philadelphia’s National Liberty Museum, we received a commemoration honoring us as a HERO from WISE (50 WISE Islamic Women from 45 nations), with this inscription:
“HERO – Certificate of Appreciation – Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality & Equality honors 333 (Michael Covitt) for standing up for Muslims, breaking down stereotypes, and fostering interfaith dialogue and understanding.”
WISE recently launched an academic book in Washington, DC, written by 72 Muslim scholars, where, in the HERO section, we are mentioned favorably.
Under sections “Celebrating True Heroes and Heroines: Past and Present and PREVENTING EXTREMIST RECRUITMENT,” it reads:
‘“333” – ‘Michael Covitt, by way of Sabatier Film Group and Malian Manuscript Foundation, has produced a documentary film titled “333” about the ancient manuscripts of Mali and the Ambassadors of Peace—Islamic scholars who for nearly one thousand years have sat daily before sunrise in a forum called the Circle of Knowledge, imparting manuscript wisdom to their followers. The film, slated for public release in 2018, highlights Mali’s centuries-old Islamic tenets for producing peace through dialogue, tolerance, understanding, and forgiveness.
The film offers the true tenets of Islam and an accurate representation of traditional Islamic values and thinking. In contrast to what is now being presented in the global media, this film sets matters straight, presenting a candid portrait of traditional Islam and interfaith collaboration.’”
“333” has been covered additionally in another scholarly work written by Robin Poulton and Rafaella Greco Tonegutti, entitled, “The Limits of Democracy and the Postcolonial Nation State: Mali’s democratic experiment falters, while jihad and terrorism grow in the Sahara.” Poulton, formerly a United Nations peacemaker, previously wrote “A Peace of Timbuktu,” with a Preface by His Excellency Kofi A. Annan, Former Secretary General of the United Nations.
Our “333” trailer was posted on the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding’s Facebook page, as well as Russell Simmons’ Facebook page with 5 million followers.
We have received media coverage in every continent but Antarctica, reaching several hundred million people.
In celebrating the United Nations International Day for Peace, our “333” trailer has been featured on PeaceCast.TV, broadcast around the world.
On the Testimonial Page of our Foundation’s Website, various luminaries, from a former Secretary of State to Grammy and Emmy-Award-Winning producers and engineers, have shared laudatory remarks about our film and activities.
Malian Manuscript Foundation was awarded a second $120,000 Google Advertising Grant.
PHILAFILM
On September 27, 2019, PHILAFILM, the 42nd Philadelphia International Film Festival & Market screened "333" to its audience of loyal, discriminating patrons at the historic, AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM IN PHILADELPHIA. PHILAFILM's Patrons and Friends are accustomed to the Festival's yearly menu of outstanding, independent filmmaking.
Delivering on expectations was 2019's "333," a feature-length documentary film from SABATIER FILM GROUP and Malian Manuscript Foundation.
Produced in the countries of MALI (NW Africa), and the United States, "333" is a Stunning Success in filmmaking from Executive Producer Michael Covitt, CEO of both the Foundation and the film company. From the 12th through the 16th centuries in Mali, almost a million Manuscripts were written about nearly every science under the sun.
PHILAFILM's Panel of Jurors awarded "333" its coveted, Jurors Panel Award in the Feature Documentary Category, International Market Section. This award was last presented by the Panel in 1997. PHILAFILM's Festival Committee agreed to continue its support of "333" by way of new screenings and publicity on the Festival's website and Social Media Links.