WGBH Lab and POV Open Call

I haven't had much time to write and there's so much I have spinning in my head about my recent trip to Liberia that I need to focus to write, but in the meantime, sharing some good news.

A pitch I submitted for the WGBH Lab and POV Open Call was accepted which means over the next month I'll be producing a 3-minute short on the 2008 elections. Tough win - there were so many entries. But I'm looking forward to it.

If you want to check out my pitch - entitled, "Liberia???? Check!", visit this link. During production, you'll have an opportunity to give input on my cut, on other filmmakers' rough cuts, and read filmmakers posts on the WGBH Lab blog. Check it!

Giving Young People a Voice

While I'm not shooting or editing my films, I spend most of my time in NYC with a great non-profit that gives free after-school spoken word poetry workshops called Urban Word NYC where I teach workshops, film events and help with the development of the organization. The young writers and poets I have met there are some of the most talented, inspiring, insightful, critical thinkers I have come across. They embody the hope I have for the future of this country.

It has always been a dream of mine to have some of them accompany me on a trip to Africa so that they can see and think for themselves about life in other different, remote places of the world. To give perspective to their own worlds as it did for me. Call me critical, but I feel most of what young people are exposed to about Africa these days involves buying a bracelet, wearing a t-shirt, or making a donation without having the opportunity to be more engaged in a sophisticated dialogue about what drives poverty, violence, etc in Africa.

The two organizations I am collaborating with on my new projects are giving me an opportunity to bring two of these young people with me to work as my assistants on my shoots. This is such a progressive way to make a film that is intended to engage their generation, I feel.

In an effort to capture and share their experiences, I've asked them to keep journals and also blog so that their peers can follow along. (If you want to view their entries, please visit www.mythofthemotherland.blogspot.com.) A larger group will be taking a multi-country trip later in the year to meet with African scholars, writers, musicians, etc. to balance the imagery and stories coming out of the Motherland. Stay tuned.

An Amazing New Film Project in Ethiopia

On March 8th (which is appropriate since it's International Women's Day), I will be landing in Ethiopia to shoot a film on another women's health issue that doesn't get much attention....unsafe abortion. Although nearly 70,000 women die from complications of self-induced abortions and millions are debilitated each year, it is yet to be seen as a serious public health and human rights issue. Because of the controversy surrounding the a-word, women are being shunned from receiving life-saving care, others are too ashamed to come forward for help, which all creates an environment where women are dieing unnecessarily. Despite anyone's belief about abortion, should a woman really die from it?

I'm working with the leading agency on this issue in the U.S. - Ipas (www.ipas.org) - to develop an advocacy film and campaign to bring awareness to the plight of these women through a film told by Ethiopian women, families and communities that have been affected. I'll be shooting in Ethiopia for two weeks, in two locations. One in the main capital of Addis Ababa and the other in a more remote area. The intent is to really illustrate the complexities and challenges facing women who have decided to end a pregnancy.

Please check back here for more information. I'll be posting photos and where possible video clips during the shoot.

Peace

PS This photo is from my shoot in Burkina Faso last year but I think its perfect for International Women's Day!