Film: Youth Producing Change Short Film Program
Young people are on the frontlines of many of the world’s human rights crises, but we rarely get to hear their points of view. The third edition of Youth Producing Change shares powerful stories from young filmmakers across the globe as they turn the camera on their own lives and share their visions of change. Youth Producing Change Short Film Program was founded by Adobe Youth Voices.
Hands of Love
prod. Voiceless Children in association with Listen Up! and Adobe Youth Voices, Kenya, 2008, BetaSP, 8 mins, color, Kiswahili w/ English Subtitles
For David Were and his community in Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya, having access to simple facilities like bathrooms can be a matter of life and death. After a devastating attack on his father, David and his friends know that their work to provide security, latrines and clean-up projects is more than a struggle for a healthier environment – it is vital to ensure the survival of their community.
Kamran’s Story
prod. Kamran Safi of Kent Refugee Action Network, UK/Afghanistan, 2008, BetaSP, 3 mins, color
Drawing from a series of dramatic life-changing events, Kamran, a 14-year-old asylum seeker, narrates the animated story of his courageous escape from Afghanistan and his unaccompanied journey to the United Kingdom.
Migration
prod. Eddy Perlaza, Cinthya Durán and Sinchi Chimba of Agencia de Comunicación de Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes (ACNNA), Ecuador, 2008 BetaSP, 5mins, color, Spanish w/ English Subtitles
In Colombia, young people often find themselves on their own when they seek refuge from violence or when parents are forced to find work in other countries to support their families. Migration provides a new take on immigration – from the perspective of children left behind.
An Average Congolese Diet (Alimentation d’un congolais moyen)
prod. Sylvain Koko of UNICEF Oneminutesjr Project, Democratic Republic of Congo, 2007, BetaSP, 1 min, French w/ English subtitles
For 14 years, the Congo has been ravaged with conflict. Food insecurity remains the norm and millions have died, mostly due to malnutrition and lack of access to basic medicine. We see here the simple truth for children in Congo: having a meal isn’t always a given.
17 & Unidentified
prod. Alicia Wade of Global Potential, Dominican Republic/US, 2009, BetaSP, 5 mins, color, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles
Born in Batey Cuchillia, Dominican Republic of Haitian descent, Deivei was never provided with a birth certificate. Without one, he cannot continue his education, find a job, marry or travel.
Growing Up in India
prod. Free the Children, Canada/India, 2009, BetaSP, 9 mins, color, Hindi w/ English subtitles
In the northeastern desert state of Rajasthan in India, Sangita feels the limitations of her culture’s caste system when she decides she must forgo an education and train as a dancer in order to support her family.
Babica
prod. Martina Hudorovic of DZMP/Luksuz Produkcija, Slovenia, 2008, BetaSP, 8 mins, Roma w/ English subtitles
The Roma people have been the target of persecution and discrimination for centuries. A Roma grandmother shares her hopes for future generations as she prepares bread with her granddaughter.
Hudud
prod. Camera-etc., Occupied Palestinian Territories, BetaSP, 2008, 8 mins, color, Arabic w/ English subtitles
Being 16 in the Occupied Palestinian Territories today is to have one’s life dictated by curfews, clashes with soldiers at check points and arbitrary searches and arrests. Hudud (an Arabic word for restriction) illustrates the challenges that the Israeli construction of the wall or “separation barrier” pose for Palestinian youth.
Mariposa
prod. Espie Hernandez, Wendy Sandoval and Luna Serna of ImMEDIAte Justice Collective, US, 2009, BetaSP, 6 mins, color, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles
As Espie prepares for her quinceañera, a traditional rite of passage celebrating a 15-year-old Latina’s debut, her family adjusts to Espie’s decision to “come out” in a different way. Espie’s story embraces the complexity of family tradition and sexual identity with an honest and brave heart.
See, Listen, Speak: Ngarrindjeri’s Being Heard (Nukkan.Kungan.Yunnan)
prod. Edie Carter, Rita Lindsay, Victor Koolmatrie, Melanie Koolmatrie and Veronica Wilson from Change Media, Australia, 2009, BetaSP, 6 mins, color
After water is diverted from natural streams and lakes in the rural Coroong community and delivered by pipeline to larger cities, the aboriginal Ngarrindjeri face a disastrous water crisis that threatens their way of life. Ngarrindjeri youth speak out to protect their culture and traditions.
Image of Contamination
prod. Elizabeth Gonzalez and Antonio Rodriguez of SAY Sí in association with Listen Up! & Adobe Youth Voices, US, 2008, BetaSP, 8 mins, color, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles
The course of Air Force enlistee Diana López’s life changes forever when she learns that toxic waste has been seeping off nearby Kelly Air Force Base and into her community’s ground water. Realizing this pollution is likely responsible for cancer and birth defects, Diana decides to fight for her community’s right to clean water, soil, and air.
