“Afghan Dreams” Packs House

01.crowd ws

WASHINGTON, DC, 10 April 2015 — The screening on 8 April of “Afghan Dreams” turned out to be an event that was something beyond “special.” So many of you contributed to what one of the attendants called, “an inspiring and compelling documentary (event) about empowering women in Afghanistan. A wonderful story of perseverance, commitment and overcoming cultural and political barriers to become role models to younger women in Afghanistan. Actually getting to interact and speak with three of the girls on Skype followed by an interesting and insightful panel completely topped it off. Congratulations to all the team of ‘Afghan Dreams,’ so happy and proud to witness it.”

One of the most exciting components of the evening was the Skype session with three of our characters, all young women, who were featured in the film. They were thrilled to join the conversation. Events like these are what documentary filmmakers live for. It is our deepest form of gratification. It is part of what we aim to achieve: to impact the lives of others in a positive way.

I’m including some of the memorable images of the evening.

– Bill Gentile

 

02.panel ms

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04. Esther with guys

05.Skype and moderator

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07.dean intro

08. Skype with students

 


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“Footprints of Color” at Montevideo Workshop

Footprints

WASHINGTON, DC, 23 December 2013 — One of the most interesting films made during our recent Backpack Video Journalism Workshop in Montevideo, Uruguay, was done by Juan Marra about a young man who paints the sidewalks near his home in an effort to brighten up the neighborhood.

This is just another example of how stories present themselves to those of us who open our eyes, and perhaps our hearts, in order to see and to feel them. You don’t have to go to Syria to find a good story. There’s probably one, on your own block, waiting for you to tell it.

The five-day workshop was organized by Valentina Quagliotti, an exchange student at American University in 2010. Valentina is the founder of Ikusi, a non-profit dedicated to making positive social change with video. My trip to Uruguay was funded by the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo.


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