IEFTA & United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) present The 5^th Edition of REFUGEE VOICES IN FILM

The 5th edition of Refugee Voices in Film, a presentation of the ongoing collaboration between the UNHCR’s “Telling The Real Story” program and IEFTA, honors the imaginative and humanitarian efforts of filmmakers as they document the experience of those enduring irregular migration, whether from violence, famine or political oppression. Using Narrative, Documentary and Animation formats, selected filmmakers – many of them refugees themselves – share untold stories of refugees everywhere. Here, refugees speak out about not only loss and desperation, but also resilience and hope. Witness the impact of film in giving a powerful voice to the displaced and dispossessed.

This year’s interactive program at EFM features works from TRS that focus on the experience of women. In a first, we’re using data science to measure the effect of these stories, courtesy of embedded QR codes in each segment that allow audiences to scan the code, engage with the films and get involved with the issues.

“The Berlinale has been positioned as a place of intercultural exchange and a platform for the critical cinematic exploration of social issues,” says Dennis Ruh, Director of the European Film Market (EFM). “It is considered the most political of all the major film festivals. The European Film Market as an integral part of the festival and international trading platform for film and media content takes up a corresponding position. In this respect, we at the EFM are proud to join forces with IEFTA and its partners, as we share the same values and vision. The project impressed me from the first time it was introduced to me. Giving refugees the voice and platform to tell their own stories in different cinematic formats is an approach that pays respect to narrative sovereignty. The EFM is the right place to showcase and raise awareness within the film industry and beyond.”

Presented by IEFTA, “The Digital Landscape in Africa” will focus on the impact of the local productions from streaming platforms as well as the volumes of content licenses and how the local players are making impact on the industry. The panel will try to understand how each of the local streaming platforms work while introducing and highlighting new start up streaming platforms. This session will also highlight the work done by online streaming platforms to develop and transform the sector. With big players like Netflix and Amazon, entry into the market has come with a lot of industry development initiatives, as they each work to build a talent pipeline. Participants include Candice Fangueiro (ShowMax), Tigist Kebede (Habesha View), Wilfred Kimui (Vumi Central), Mohammed Hefzy (Film Clinic), Gugu Zuma Ncube (producer, The Wife, South Africa).

The Mix & Mingle session following this discussion will include representatives from IEFTA and many of its partner organizations including: Arab Cinema Center, Cairo International Film Festival, Cannes Docs/Marché du Film, DAE - Documentary Association of Europe, Dhaka DocLab, DOK Leipzig, Durban Film Mart, El Gouna Film Festival, EFM – European Film Market, Gemini Africa, GFMI - Global Film & Media Initiative, Golden Apricot Film Festival, IFFR Pro, JAFTA - Jamaica Film & Television Association, IFIB - International Film Initiative Bangladesh, Realness Institute, TFL – Torino Film Lab.

IEFTA is a Monaco based non-governmental organization founded with the purpose of discovering and developing film talent from emerging regions, globally. We connect film makers to established industry professionals, engage cultural diversity and foster relationships that are; mentoring, inspiring and educational.