Hugh Jackman to introduce his new documentary film "Dukale's Dream" - an inspirational story about his unlikely friendship with an Ethiopian coffee farmer named Dukale, which sends him on a life-changing journey.

New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 06/09/2015 --When people think of film star Hugh Jackman, they likely think of him as superhero Wolverine from the "X-Men" film franchise, or dashing Jean Valjean of "Les Miserables," or as the high-octane song-and-dance man hosting the Academy Awards or the Tony Awards. In his visit to "Live with Kelly & Michael" on June 9, he introduces viewers to his new documentary "Dukale's Dream" and yet another side of Hugh Jackman: anti-poverty visionary.

In 2009, actor Hugh Jackman and his wife, Deborra-lee Furness, traveled to Ethiopia as ambassadors for World Vision Australia, one of the world's largest humanitarian aid organizations. As longtime donors, the Jackmans wanted to visit a World Vision community development project to see how rural communities were being empowered to eradicate poverty. "Dukale's Dream" is a feature length documentary about Hugh Jackman's unlikely friendship with an Ethiopian coffee farmer named Dukale, who had grown up in poverty and was deprived of an education. After working on Dukale's farm, Hugh realized that something as simple as a cup of coffee could have a profound impact on global poverty. Jackman was so inspired by what he learned from Dukale that he made a promise to him and his family, sending him on a life-changing journey.

Upon his return home to New York City, Hugh was invited to speak at United Nations Climate Week where he made an impassioned plea to world leaders to provide support for farmers like Dukale in developing countries. However, after his UN speech, Hugh still felt that there was more he could do and began talking to people in his neighborhood and at local coffee shops about the impact of fair trade coffee on the environment and the lives of the growers. He came to understand that something as simple as a cup of coffee had the potential to reduce global poverty through the choices consumers made in the United States. After sharing his newfound insights and experiences in Ethiopia with a friend in the restaurant business, Hugh decided the best way for him to have a direct impact on poverty reduction was to start a coffee company in order to trade directly with the growers. In 2011, Hugh launched Laughing Man Coffee & Tea to provide a marketplace for farmers like Dukale to sell their goods to consumers across the U.S. As part of his ongoing commitment, Hugh contributes 100% of his profits to the Laughing Man Foundation, which he created to support educational programs, community development and social entrepreneurs around the world.

After premiering in New York City on June 4, and in New Jersey, Washington DC, Atlanta and Miami on June 5, "Dukale's Dream" will have a nation-wide release on July 14 across all major distribution portals (iTunes, xfinity, Google Play, Amazon, Playstation store, Time Warner, Xbox video, Fios, InDemand, AT&T U-verse, Cox, Charter, Dish, Vudu, Comcast, and others). Director Josh Rothstein and Producer Jesse Scolaro have also made the film available for community and in-home "sneak peek" screenings through theatrical on-demand partner Tugg.com.

The film makers invite viewers to "Dream with Dukale" ( #dreamwithdukale ) and to spread the message that "the coffee you drink can change the world."

Viewers can also take direct action by donating to the Laughing Man Foundation, which supports the following initiatives:

- Creating a curriculum to teach students, here and abroad, about social entrepreneurship, value chains
of products, and market based solutions.

- Funding of World Vision health, education and small business projects for farmers like Dukale and
their families throughout the Kochore region of Ethiopia.

- Improving health standards for women and children in rural Ethiopia by providing access to clean
cookstoves and medical supplies.

For more information, visit DukalesDream.com and LaughingManFoundation.com

Film credits:

Director & Cinematographer
JOSH ROTHSTEIN

Producers
JESSE SCOLARO
JULIE CHRISTEAS
SCHUYLER WEISS

Executive Producers
DALE AMTSBERG
ELLY BRADBURY

Associate Producers
DAVID STEINGARD
TIM DUFF

Editors
RAPHAEL RICE
ERIC FREIDENBERG

Music Composer
JORDON ROTHSTEIN

Featuring
HUGH JACKMAN
DEBORRA-LEE FURNESS
DUKALE
TIM COSTELLO
JEFFREY D. SACHS
ASSEFA TOFU
ADANESH
TAKELE MAMMO
TEFERA GHEDAMU
SHAMELES

Production Companies
THE 7TH FLOOR
JVR PRODUCTIONS
TANDEM PICTURES
RENART FILMS

dukalesdream.com
Copyright 2015
World Vision Australia
All Rights Reserved