Over the past few weeks, we’ve been hard at work on fulfillment — and we’re happy to share that the vast majority of rewards have now been shipped.

Hundreds of backers have received their packages, including Blu-rays, posters, caps, mugs, unbuilt model kits, and other rewards, and we’ve been thrilled to see positive feedback coming in. Thank you for the patience and encouragement as we worked through this final stage — it genuinely means a lot to a very small team.

There are still a limited number of pre-built Eagle model kits in progress. These are being constructed by hand, and unfortunately one of the key builders had to undergo surgery and deal with some personal matters, which caused delays outside anyone’s control. That work is resuming as quickly as possible, and those remaining kits will be completed and shipped as soon as they’re ready.

We want to be clear, transparent, and appreciative — and also share some broader context about the project.

The Eagle Obsession began as an idea in the summer of 2022 and grew into an internationally recognized, award-winning documentary. Making this film was a massive undertaking — creatively, logistically, and financially — accomplished by a very small core team of fewer than ten people.

How was it funded? 

There have been a number of questions about the film’s budget and how it was broken down. People have asked how crowdfunding impacted the production. 

The project was financed through a combination of private equity, loans, and significant personal investment (including six figures personally from me), along with years of work from collaborators who believed in the film. We also had a small but successful Indigogo campaign. 

The Kickstarter was launched after production was already well underway to support an additional segment fans asked for, covering specific production costs such as studio time, miniature builds, equipment rentals, and crew. We’re grateful for that support as it allowed us to create a fun segment of the film. 

Our priority has always been what you backed us to do: make a great film and get it out into the world. That focus has paid off. The film has won numerous awards, continues to receive accolades, and we’re actively working toward international distribution and global screenings.

Blu-ray & 4K Clarification

The film was shot and mastered in 4K, and a 4K file was delivered to our Blu-ray manufacturer. Unfortunately, a manufacturing error resulted in standard Blu-ray discs rather than 4K UHD discs. This was not our expectation, and we’re in the process of correcting it now.

Not everyone has a 4K player, so rather than sending replacements automatically, we’re asking anyone who wants a 4K disc to email us directly. We’ll provide the 4K disc once ready; backers would simply cover the shipping cost. We expect this to be resolved within the next few weeks.

Digital Access vs. Digital Download

We also want to clarify some terminology that has caused confusion:

Digital access means streaming access, which will be available very soon (within about a week) for a 24-hour viewing window.

Digital download means owning a downloadable file. Because the film is still finalizing distribution, downloads are not being released yet. Once distribution is in place — expected within roughly 60 days — downloads will be made available.

If you purchased digital access believing it included a download, we will honor that and provide a download link once distribution allows it.

Looking Ahead

This project has also resulted in more than one film. A second, fan-centric documentary, Beyond the Eagle Obsession, is already in progress and scheduled for completion in April, expanding on the history, artistry, and legacy of the Eagle even further.

Independent filmmaking at this scale is difficult, time-consuming, and resource-intensive — especially with a small team — but we remain deeply committed to both the film and to fulfilling what was promised. We appreciate the patience and understanding of the vast majority of backers who recognize that this was never a store, but a shared effort to help bring an important film into existence.

We’re excited about what’s ahead: wider distribution, global screenings, and continuing to share The Eagle Obsession with audiences around the world. When the time comes, we’ll be asking for your help spreading the word — and we hope you’ll be proud of what we’ve all helped make possible.

Thank you for your support, your patience, and your belief in independent filmmaking.

— Jeffrey Morris, The Eagle Obsession