To celebrate Refugee Week the Sunshine Coast Refugee Action Network is coordinating a Community Film Festival.
Five different films will be screened at seven venues across the Coast, sharing stories of refugees and people seeking asylum.
Throughout Refugee Week, 16 – 22 June, there are films screening in Maleny, Caloundra, Buderim, Sippy Downs and Nambour, as well as Eumundi and Noosa.
The award winning documentary “Mary meets Mohammad” is screening at The J, Noosa Junction on Wednesday 19 June, hosted by Noosa Welcomes Refugees.
The film gives us a view of the refugee detention centre in Tasmania through the eyes of local knitting club member Mary as she connects with Mohammad via the gift of a knitted beanie. The event is free, refreshments will be available and the film will be followed by discussion.
On Thursday 20 June, World Refugee Day, Berkelouw Books in Eumundi is hosting a free screenings of “Border Politics” with the help of Starry Nights movies. The film follows leading Human Rights barrister, Julian Burnside, as he explores asylum seeker policies around the world and considers what they mean for Western democracy. There will be a short discussion and Q&A session after the film and light refreshments will be provided.
Film Festival coordinator, Gillian Duffy, said “Four of the five films in the Festival are documentaries by Australian directors and one is an Australian comedy. There are stories of courage and resilience, and the films are variously heart-warming, inspiring, uplifting or challenging, but all of them are thought provoking”.
Refugee Week is an initiative of the Refugee Council of Australia. It has been celebrated nationally every year since 1986 and includes World Refugee Day on 20 June. The aim is to create better understanding between different communities and to encourage successful integration, enabling refugees to live in safety and to continue making a valuable contribution to Australia.
While most of the Festival events are free, seats are limited. For more information and to book visit www.refugeebuddies.org/events.
