“We are delighted at the opportunity to partner FilmAid,” says Shaine de Venny, Managing Director of Moet Hennessy Diageo HK. “Moet & Chandon is furthering its century-long love affair with cinema but perhaps more importantly it is in keeping with the house’s generousity by giving back to the community. Moet is the exclusive champagne of the Oscars(R) and has been the official champagne of the Golden Globes for almost two decades. The Power of Film Gala will honour two remarkable creative forces, Keanu Reeves and Duncan Jepson and raise awareness of FilmAid’s broader work in Asia. Moet & Chandon is proud to be able to share and celebrate in this moment.”

“The Power of Film Gala is essential to our ambitious goals for FilmAid in the Asia region,” said Gala Co-chair Claire Breen Melwani. “I am honoured to sit on FilmAid Asia’s Board and to co-chair this important fundraiser with Donnie Yen and Moet & Chandon’s Shaine de Venny, whose support for our initiatives is so critical. We are all looking forward to an incredibly exciting evening as we acknowledge film’s increasingly significant role in humanitarian efforts.”

Donnie Yen said, “I am extremely proud to be the first Asian member of the FilmAid Global Artist Council and to co-chair the inaugural Power of Film Gala. I am also delighted that FilmAid Asia is honouring the contributions of Keanu Reeves to motion pictures and Duncan Jepson to humanitarian causes. FilmAid’s goal of using film to inspire and change the lives of those people displaced by war, trafficking and natural disasters is a philosophy I hope the Asian film community will support.”

FilmAid’s Global Artist Council is made up of a select group of actors, writers and directors who support FilmAid’s vision, goals and philosophy by using the power of film to provide information where it is needed and inspire hope where it is lacking. As high-profile artists, Council members are the most visible faces of FilmAid and are well placed to build widespread awareness of FilmAid’s work and resource needs.

Keanu Reeves is one of the most versatile actors in contemporary American cinema. He has over 70 movies to his credit, including producing the recent documentary Side by Side which examines the history, process and workflow of both digital and photochemical film creation and is currently filming his directorial debut Man of Tai Chi in China. Duncan Jepsonis a Hong Kong based documentary filmmaker whose features include the award winning Hope Without Future? and Follow Your Heart: China’s New Youth Movement. He is currently working on a new documentary feature, A Devil’s Gift, about the difficult future facing Hong Kong’s youth.

The Gala Host Committee comprises notable Hong Kong and Mainland China based film patrons, entertainment industry leaders and philanthropic supporters including, Christine Fellowes, Sean Fitzpatrick, Kelly Gave, Jane Gottschalk, Malena Zhang, Benedict Ku, Levina Li-Cadman, Peter Loehr, John McLellan, Lorna Tee and Monica Blanch Wells.

The Power of Film Gala 2012 is expected to draw illustrious local and international guests from the worlds of art, entertainment, fashion, and finance, including collectors, philanthropists, artists, filmmakers, and cultural and civic leaders, among others. The 2012 Moet & Chandon and FilmAid Asia Power of Film Gala is also generously supported by Italian luxury leather goods and fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo who is the exclusive fashion brand partner for the gala. Known as the “Shoemaker to the Stars” since the 1920s, Salvatore Ferragamo believes in the power of movies as a source of empowerment and inspiration. In this spirit, Salvatore Ferragamo endorses FilmAid’s cause.

Tables at the Power of Film Gala are priced at HK$40,000.
To reserve a table, contact Lindsey Pleban at +852-9281-1865 or gala@filmaid.org.

Download the full press release as a PDF here.

FILMAID/UNHCR- DADAAB

Background:

Since 1999, FilmAid has used the unique power of film to reach large numbers of people with criticalinformation in a compelling visual format, overcoming language and literacy barriers. FilmAid uses films that are both educational and entertaining to draw audiences’ attention to subjects of vital concern to their health and well-being.

Working with other relief agencies and community leaders, FilmAid identifies emerging critical issues and develops appropriate film messages to help educate and inform. People of concern participate actively in the creation of these films, and the resulting pieces are widely distributed and screened throughout beneficiary communities. In this way, FilmAid is able to respond to an immediate, unmet need for locally relevant messaging. Through real collaboration, FilmAid’s community-based films support the work of other aid agencies and effectively address the issues and concerns of beneficiary communities. FilmAid also seeks to experiment with other media that can be used to achieve its stated goals.

FilmAid is looking to recruit the Audio Production Assistant with the general objective of working closelywith the Dadaab Production team to fulfill production editing needs. The Audio Production Assistant reports to the Production Officer and will fulfill the following functions:
Key responsibilities

• Editing raw recorded audio on a variety of programming types, from educational tutorials to fiction titles, interstitials, title/credit sequences and special projects.
• Assisting the Production Officer in maintaining efficient process flow of all edited material.
• Assisting in the pre-production, production and post-production processes.
• Assisting in the studio recording process.
• Processing audio (EQ, noise reduction)Maintenance of production spreadsheets.
• Encoding audio file.
• Maintaining the studio including cleanliness of studio and equipment, controlling access etc
• Assorted clerical/filing duties.

Educational Requirements:

• Must be a Kenyan national
• Any post secondary qualification in an audio related discipline.

Skills Requirements:

• Experience of working in a studio environment/audio programming.
• Knowledge of audio editing software, including ProTools & SoundForge and knowledge of the audio recording process.
• Knowledge of how to set up and efficiently run a digital audio workstation.
• Knowledge of handling a mixing board/audio mixer to ensure highest sound quality as can be achieved.

Other Qualifications:

• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, fluctuating environment and approach projects with a flexible and adaptable mindset.
• Meticulous attention to detail as well as strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to multi-task and effectively handle stressful situations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office applications.
• Ready to work with minimal supervision with ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ready to work for long hours in a hardship area.
• Team player, excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and action.

Job Location:
Dadaab, Kenya

Please email applications with only cover letter, CV and 3 references to: jobskenya@filmaid.org
Note that applicants who send letters of references, testimonials or any other documents apart from thoserequested will be automatically disqualified.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified

Duty Station: Dadaab

Reporting To: Program Manager

Background:

Since 1999, FilmAid has used the unique power of film to reach largenumbers of vulnerable communities with critical information in a compellingvisual format, overcoming language and literacy barriers. FilmAid uses filmsthat are both educational and entertaining to draw audiences’ attention tosubjects of vital concern to their health and well-being.

FilmAid International has operational presence in Dadaab refugee camp and isone of UNHCR’s Implementing partners. Currently FilmAid is implementing avariety of projects with funding support from UNHCR and the US governmentthrough Bureau of Population and Migration (BPRM). These projects generallycorrespond to FilmAid’s core response areas of Health, Protection andCommunity services and involve production and dissemination of variousvideos.

The large influx of new arrivals due to the ongoing drought afflicting the Hornof Africa and the insecurity in Somalia has led to increase in mortality ratesamong under 5’s as well as an increase in acute malnutrition figures,prompting UNHCR to declare an emergency and institute a rapid response.UNHCR has also revised its registration protocols and introducedregistration/reception centers in all the three camps as part of coping with themassive influx. FilmAid has been co-opted into the technical committeeoverseeing this response and proposes to respond by developing anddisseminating a New Arrivals Information Kit targeting approximately 180,000newly arrived refugees by the end of the project period.

FilmAid is looking to recruit a Security Officer to ensure safety for allFilmAid programs. The Security Officer will provide leadership in all securityrelated matters to FilmAid Dadaab program.

Key responsibilities:

· Ensure safety for Dadaab field program by providing leadership in allsecurity related matters to FilmAid Dadaab program.

· Regularly assess and update security threats and providerecommendations to management.

· Supervise and monitor provision of security to FilmAid staff and filmequipment in all FilmAid activities.

· Train and supervise a team of security guards, both national andrefugee in situational awareness, crowd control, radio communicationand the FilmAid Security plan.

· Implement and maintain a FilmAid radio network in the key locations.

· Ensure regular training, implementation of the security and evacuationplans and regulations in the field.

· Provide daily verbal security reports to the Program Manager. Alsoprovide weekly reports and monthly written summary reports to allFilmAid staff.

· Conduct orientation to visitors, volunteers and new staff on the FilmAidsecurity guidelines. Responsible that all visitors are aware ofprocedures and follow them.

· Liaise with GOK, UNHCR, LWF and other security officers in assessingsecurity threats in the camps and providing regular updates on this tothe Program Manager.

· Conduct investigations on any incidents or property losses withinFilmAid premises in conjunction with the Program Manager.

· Continuously update and review the existing evacuation plan,especially for Dadaab and ensure its viability.

· Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements:

· Must be of Kenyan nationality.

· Diploma in relevant discipline (Advanced university degree in SocialSciences or a related technical field like a military or police academydegree would be an asset. Relevant military or police training coursesshowing career progression with emphasis on operational planning andcommunication skills, combined with significant practical operationaland UN experience would be of great advantage but not essential.

· A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experiencein security management, preferably in a police/military context or withconsiderable UN field mission experience. The applicant’s experienceshould demonstrate capabilities which should include the ability toconduct planning and operate under extreme stress, a demonstrationof high level of leadership and capability of rapid decision-making (withlittle margin of error). A high degree of physical fitness would berequired· Experience in control of large crowds.

· Basic knowledge in radio networks.

· Flexible in quick decision making.

· Ready to work with minimal supervision with ability to work bothindependently and as part of a team.

· Ready to work for long hours in a hardship area.

· Team player, excellent interpersonal, organizational, multitasking andcommunication skills.

· Commitment to humanitarian principles and action.

Please email applications with only cover letter, CV and 3 referencesby 6th February 2012 to: jobskenya@filmaid.org.

Note that applicants who send letters of references, testimonials orany other documents apart from those requested will be automatically disqualified. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Bingham Ray passed away yesterday morning in Utah. As a longtime friend and colleague of many of us here, FilmAid joins his family and friends in mourning his passing and celebrating the life and achievements of this beloved indie film veteran.

In 1991 Ray co-founded October Films, one of the foremost independent film companies of the 1990′s, where as co-president he won two Oscars, garnered 13 Oscar nominations and took top prizes at the Cannes Film Festival on three occasions. Ray was appointed Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society last November and had previously served as the first run programming consultant to the Film Society of Lincoln Center, executive consultant to the digital distribution company SnagFilms and adjunct professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Ray is survived by his wife Nancy King, their children Nick, Annabel and Becca, and his sisters Susan Clair and Deb Pope.

Read more about Bingham Ray here:
http://www.indiewire.com/article/beloved-indie-film-veteran-bingham-ray-has-diedand here: http://sfist.com/2012/01/23/san_francisco_film_society_executiv.php

Peter Facinelli and the Moët Chandon artist collection bottle.

Hong Kong Twilight fans were in heaven this week as Actor Peter Facinelli joined FilmAid Asia at the Hong Kong premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I on Wednesday, 14 December.  Actor Peter Facinelli, who plays Dr. Carlisle Cullen, made special appearances for the premiere in support of FilmAid Asia including a private pre-party at the Upper House.

More than 500 guests and fans crowded the AMC Pacific Place Cinemas for the premiere screening sponsored by Golden Scene and John Hardy.  Generous support was also provided by Moët Chandon, the Upper House, EditBlue, Havaianas, Zadig & Voltaire and Ferragamo.

John Hardy CEO Damien Dernoncourt, Peter Facinelli and John Hardy Creative Director Guy Bedarida.

A host of Hong Kong film society and lovers were thrilled to be a part of this special event. Peter Facinelli graced the red carpet with legendary actress Candice Yu and signed autographs prior to the show.  All proceeds from the premiere ticket sales benefit FilmAid Asia.

The night before the premiere Kee Club hosted a private dinner.  Actor Peter Facinelli, mingled with FilmAid Asia Board members and special guests including actor Donny Yen and his wife Cissy Wang.

Donnie Yen and Peter Facinelli at Kee Club.

“Nothing is more meaningful—more human, really—than our efforts to tell each other about ourselves…” Susan Orlean

In June 2011, Su Kim and I, David Felix Sutcliffe, had the extraordinary honor of collaborating with Filmaid and The Great Globe Foundation when we were given the opportunity to lead a series of personal documentary workshops with a group of Somali and Ethiopian individuals living in Dadaab Refugee Camp. Su and I are both documentary filmmakers from Brooklyn NY and recently released a film together (called ADAMA, broadcasted on PBS World in November ‘11) and were eager for the opportunity to share a few of the lessons we’ve learned on our own projects with members of our workshop. Although we originally intended on helping the participants produce just one short group piece, we ultimately ended up producing five pieces in total with the students. Each of these films – self-portraits, essentially – offer a rich and open window into the hearts, minds and histories of remarkable people who, as it turns out, taught us much more than we could ever teach them.

We began our workshop by offering members of the group the chance to practice interviewing each other. These interviews began with a very simple prompt: to spend a minute silently reflecting on either a very joyful or a very difficult memory, and to then share that memory. From here, members of the workshop began the process of diving into each other and, ultimately, the process behind documentary storytelling. As the interviewees began to speak, their memories tumbled out in rich, fascinating and tangled form. Periodically, we would pause the interview and ask the other members of the group to discuss what they’d just heard, to process these memories, and consider possible directions for the interview. How can we give shape to this story? What struck them? What was interesting? What do we want to know more about? Where are the gaps? “He mentioned that his father was killed,” Akune pointed out during a pause in Liban’s interview. “Maybe we should find out more about that.”

For so many of the men and women living in Dadaab, the ordeals they have each experienced (and continue to experience as residents of the world’s largest refugee camp) are so common that the specifics of these ordeals, as well as the depth of the pain they have all endured, is very easily overlooked, or worse- mistaken for something ordinary. By stepping in front of a camera to tell their story to a group of peers, and then collectively seek a way to organize those stories, to identify the tragedies and traumas that they have each experienced, they are given the chance to recognize, and celebrate, their own accomplishments and courage.

We are so incredibly proud to have met these individuals and to share the films they have created, both with those people familiar with Filmaid’s extraordinary work and, we hope, beyond. The work that Filmaid is doing in Dadaab, and around the world, is truly extraordinary and absolutely vital. By giving these men and women the resources and support to craft and tell their own stories through film, to be creators in a world where there is very nearly nothing to create with, Filmaid has empowered them with the ability to sail above and beyond the word that so painfully reminds them of everything they want to forget –refugee– and reminds them of all that they are, and can be: human.

Liban Rashid Mohammed

Abulony Ojulu Okello

Abdi Noor Aden

Mohamed Abdi Rage

Akune Obang Atale

How many human rights are you exercising right now?

Everybody has access to refuge in a safe country.
Food, shelter and healthcare for all.
The right to marriage and family for all.
Internet access for all.

That last one may come as a surprise, but indeed, the UN declared Internet access a human right just this year. With the rise of social media,  populations and individuals have increasingly taken to the Internet to fight for and claim their rights. Fast and easy access to information and Internet is probably something most of us take for granted, we’re flooded with it: but in a refugee camp, information tends to be a critical commodity.

Long before Twitter, at FilmAid we’ve always worked to use film and media to provide access to that information, bridging language and logistical barriers. We think that not only is access to information itself a right, but disseminating information about human rights can help individuals and groups to understand, claim, and exercise all of their rights.

From screening feature films warning against sexual violence, to making films on how to combat child trafficking or how to protect against disease, FilmAid provides a platform for advancing human rights through access to essential information about them.  Through filmmaking programs and screenings, FilmAid programs offer students the ability to exercise their right of expression “regardless of frontiers” (Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19), as well as to “freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits” (Article 26).

This year, along with other agencies in Kenya, FilmAid is also proud to be supporting the global 16 Days of Activism campaign for No Violence Against Women and Children, which terminates today on Human Rights day.

Find out more about Human Rights Day and make your own “Wish”: http://www.celebratehumanrights.org/

A little history:

On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, consisting of a preamble and “30 articles, setting out a broad range of fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all men and women, everywhere in the world, are entitled without any distinction.” Since then, governments and movements worldwide have committed to promoting certain inalienable, basic rights to which all people everywhere are entitled. Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10 of every year.

FilmAid facilitators lead a procession in Mombasa's Bangladesh slum to launch the 16 Days of Activism.

16 Days of Activism is an international campaign marked from the 25th of November to the 10th of December, a time-frame that includes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, International Human Rights Day, Universal Children’s Day and World Aids Day. Last week FilmAid partnered with PSI and APHIA Plus, as well as other local organizations to launch the program in Mombasa’s Bangladesh slum.

Participants watch a sketch on Sex and Gender Based Violence at the event launch.

FilmAid has recently been screening our film Sita Kimya in Mombasa, which highlights the issue of Sex and Gender Based Violence in the community. An outdoor screening of the film for an audience of around 500 was a fitting culmination of the launch of 16 Days of Activism in the area.

Sita Kimya has been enormously well received in Mombasa, with screenings so far focusing on the Bangladesh slum area – a well documented hotspot for Sex and Gender Based Violence. Our facilitators report being regularly approached for advice on health, legal and counselling services – which are sorely lacking in the area – and community leaders from other areas have requested screenings in many different locations.

So congratulations to the great FilmAid facilitators in Mombasa, and keep up the good work!

An advertising board for a video hall showing screening times for Sita Kimya.