The Strait Guys - Distribution Support

London to New York by rail.
Sound impossible?
Not with the InterContinental Railway!

The Vision

Whatever happened to the monumental 19th century dream to connect the USA and Russia with a train tunnel beneath the Bering Strait? Ask the passionate team of Americans and Russians known as the “Strait Guys”, who have been fighting for decades to convince international governments, corporations, and indigenous tribes to green-light their $100 billion railway project which promises to become the Panama Canal of the 21st century.

THE STRAIT GUYS follows the 76-year-old, Czech-born mining engineer George Koumal and his fast-talking protégé Scott Spencer along the proposed route of the InterContinental Railway through Alaska, to the Bering Strait and onward to Russia, where they meet with local communities, politicians, and railroad executives along the way. As they struggle to keep their “peace, progress, and prosperity” project alive in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the Strait Guys leave us wondering: What is really preventing us from being connected?

George Koumal arriving on Little Diomede island in the Bering Strait. The island would be connected to George’s tunnel via a ventilation shaft and elevator, providing the islanders with ready access to mainland Alaska and Russia for the first time ever.

The route of the Intercontinental Railway. The dotted line represents the 8000 km that still need to be built, including the 100 km long tunnel beneath the Bering Strait, which would link Asia and North America.

The Film

The Strait Guys is a feature-length documentary by American independent filmmaker Rick Minnich, who has spent the past twelve years following George and his fellow Strait Guys around the globe. He filmed them presenting their vision to politicians, at conferences, and to native communities along the planned route through Alaska. He even traveled to the end of the rail line near Yakutsk in eastern Siberia to film the Strait Guys linking with their Russian counterparts, who are already extending their railroad toward the Bering Strait. The Strait Guys is a heartwarming story of one man’s tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds, and an inspiring example of how Americans and Russians can work together outside the hardened political front which is keeping our countries apart.

Join our team and help us connect the world
with the Intercontinental Railway

Intercontinental Railway founders Victor Razbegin (2nd from left) and George Koumal (3rd from left) and Chief Project Advisor Scott Spencer (right) unveil the Russian version of the InterContinental Railway flag together with Alexei Mestnikov (left) and Dmitriy Kondratov (2nd from right) of Yakutia Railway and film producer Vlad Ketkovich (3rd from right) at the end of the railway line in Nizny Bestyakh, Siberia (near Yakutsk). September 26, 2018. Photo ©2018 Rick Minnich.

Current Status

"The Strait Guys" celebrated its world premiere at the It's All True film festival in São Paulo, Brazil in April 2022, and its US premiere at the North X North Summit and Festival in Anchorage, Alaska days later.

As of November 27, 2023, we have a budget deficit of $154,371. Below is an overview of our income sources and expenses to date. Your contributions will help cover the following expenditures:

marketing costs (including website, posters, social media, publicist fees)
travel expenses for in-person presentations at film festivals and other events
office and administrative expenses
Errors & Omissions insurance
deferred salaries

All donations are 100% tax-deductible through our 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions. You will be sent a receipt per email as soon as your donation has been processed.

If you do not need a tax-deduction, please consider making a donation directly to the filmmakers. 100% of your contribution will go directly toward completing and distributing “The Strait Guys”.

Thank you for your support!

Budget Details

Distribution

Donate via Credit Card or eCheck

Details

Select your donation amount:

$50

$100

$250

$1,000

Donation message

Personal Info

Billing Address

First name *

Last name *

Additional Believer

Email *

Phone

Country *

Locale *

Address 1 *

Address 2

City *

Zip / Postal code *

Payment

Secure transaction provided by Stripe

Credit card

BANK

I will cover the fees to help my gift go even further.

Summary of your donation

Donation period	Total

annual

Our Man in Berlin FAQ

Is my donation tax deductible?

Depends on a few factors like if you received a reward in exchange for the donation and the value of your donation above that rewards cost, etc. You may contact the nonprofit you donated to directly to receive information on whether or not your donation is tax deductible. Nonetheless, the emailed receipts you will receive for your donation is the documentation you need to make it tax deductible.

WeDidIt FAQ

Is my donation and credit card info secure?

Yes, the security and confidentiality of your information is our highest priority. We will not sell, trade or share your personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations, and we will only share personal information if you have given us specific permission to do so.

How do I know that my donation was made successfully?

You will receive an emailed receipt immediately after your donation is submitted and your credit card is processed. Your donation will also show up on your bank or card statement within 1-3 business days.

Do I get a receipt?

Yes, a receipt is sent to your email inbox once your donation is processed. Please be sure to keep a copy of your receipt for tax purposes. If you select a recurring donation, you will be sent an individual receipt each period when your donation is processed.

Is my donation private?

We will not share or sell a donor's personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations.