The ‘Other’ People Film Festival
"Everyone is welcomed if they are interested in becoming a screening partner."
IN commemorating world refugee day on Thursday, 20 June, the Refugee Social Services (RSS) will host The ‘Other’ People Film Festival, which has taken place over the past five years between 20 June to 27 June.
“We chose the name because when people are Othered, they are marginalised and forced to flee. With this festival we want to start a conversation about othering. Even though this is an RSS initiative, anybody can take whatever films we have on offer and make them their own,” said Yasmin Rajah, the Director of RSS.
“The structure of the film festival is slightly different because we don’t need a cinema to screen these movies and it is free. Our aim is to start a conversation. If people want to have a movie night at home, watching with their families, they are welcome because that starts the conversation and the whole process of being aware. If people are interested in being screening partners they are welcome to come and pick a movie from the selection we have available. All we need from them is to tell us how many people came to watch the screening and send us a photograph of the screening,” said Rajah.
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Each year on 20 June, the United Nations, United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and countless civic groups around the world host World Refugee Day events in order to draw the public’s attention to the millions of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict and persecution. The annual commemoration is marked by a variety of events in more than 100 countries, involving government officials, humanitarian aid workers, celebrities, civilians and the forcibly displaced themselves.
“Film is a good medium to use when highlighting this issue. We also want to share the stories of other refugees in different parts of the world because there are so many similarities. Statelessness will also be a focus during the festival.There are thousands of people who are undocumented and there’s no way of getting them documented, they have no nationality even though some are born in these countries,” added Rajah.
South Africa is the number one destination for African migrants, according to figures from the United Nations (UN). Many of them come temporarily, 46.5% of immigrants are in Gauteng, and the lowest number, 0.7% are in the Northern Cape. Gauteng and the Western Cape are home to most of immigrants.
For those interested in screening the movies, contact Refugee Social Services at 031 310 3578 or visit them at the Diakonia.
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