My First Huffington Post Blog Entry: "The Role of the Artist...."

I'm very excited to announce that I've been ask to be a special contributing writer for the Huffington Blog's Global Motherhood platform.

The Global Motherhood platform is a new section within HuffPost Impact dedicated to the health and well being of mothers and babies around the world, and sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.

In trying to find a unique voice among the many contributors, I decided to focus on my role as a filmmaker covering maternal health stories as well as my work with local artists on my advocacy efforts.

You can read my first entry here.  The goal was to set the foundation for what I want to focus on in future posts:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-russell/global-maternal-health_b_2259850.html?fb_action_ids=10152321781110697&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=timeline_og&action_object_map={%2210152321781110697%22%3A440535269344382}&action_type_map={%2210152321781110697%22%3A%22og.likes%22}&action_ref_map=[]

Please feel free to read, comment, forward, post, like...it all helps!

Thanks!
Lisa

My New Music Video: GIVE PEACE A CHANCE with Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew

I'm really excited to release the following music video I completed with Sierra Leonean superstar group, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew.

"Give Peace a Chance" was produced to promote peaceful elections in Sierra Leone, coming up on November 17th. There is already rising tensions in the country in anticipation of the elections so this song and music video is being used to encourage youth to not be swayed into violence.

Today, our music video made the top story on Sierra Express Media.  Check it out:

http://www.sierraexpressmedia.com/archives/49525

This project was exciting for me as it confirms the power of collaborating with local artists who have incredible influence in societies affected by pressing global health and development issues I cover in my films.  I'll be sharing more about an initiative I am developing working with these artists (musicians, filmmakers, poets, etc) but in the meantime, enjoy the music video and feel free to share and forward.  

How I work as a Brooklyn-based filmmaker for UN and NGO agencies

I get a lot of filmmakers and development colleagues who ask me questions about how I was able to build a career as a filmmaker working for the United Nations and other NGOs. And also, at the same time as keeping my foot planted in the artistic and sociopolitical movements in Brooklyn.

Today I'll be speaking and will address some of these questions on a panel entitled, "Female Documentary Filmmakers" at the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival from 4-5:30pm.

Never heard of the festival?  Either have I but its been labeled as Brooklyn's Tribeca.

The festival runs from Aug 4-12 and you can find more info at www.aobff.org.

Hope to see you (and feel free to forward!)