Refugee Week 2016
With the generous support of the hardworking folk at the Refugee Council of Australia we had over 200 screenings of Freedom Stories during Refugee Week this year (June 19-25th). The screenings were organized in schools, cinemas, community halls, libraries and backyards across Australia in places as far flung as Kununurra West Australia, Toowoomba Queensland, Kingborough Tasmania, Cobram Victoria, Yass New South Wales and Gumeracha South Australia! Check out the full list here (click on past screenings.)
A big thank you to the Refugee Council of Australia for all their hard work in organising Refugee Week, and for promoting Freedom Stories far and wide.
How far we’ve come
We began working on this film over five years ago, and it started with the artworks that Steve Thomas had seen at the Woomera Detention Centre in 2002. During a “renaissance” period at Woomera, detainees were given paints and produced murals depicting peace and freedom like the one pictured on this e-newsletter. Steve wanted to know what had happened to the people who had painted those murals. And a bigger question emerged – what had become of those who had sought asylum in Australia around that time and were detained, but eventually became Australian citizens. From this “Freedom Stories” was born, and here we are today with hundreds of screenings happening around the country.
Thanks to all our supporters who have helped us get to this point, and who have contributed in so many different ways. And to our “Freedom Stories” participants, THANK YOU. Your stories about seeking freedom, and the contributions you are making, are touching audiences across the country.
DVD Now Available For Screenings & Home
The “Freedom Stories” DVD is now available for purchase here. It contains the feature film PLUS six short films with new participants Mohsen, Najaf, Ferial, Michael, Aamer and Amin. The DVD is available to schools, universities and libraries through our distributor Ronin Films. If you wish to purchase a DVD for home use or community group screening, go HERE. If you wish to use the documentary in a school, or for a library please order through RONIN FILMS.
