Collaborative film-making during lockdown – July challenge
While most of us are still unable to meet due to the pandemic, inspiring stories of groups responding in creative ways across the network are springing up. From online ESOL classes, to distributing emergency food parcels, to virtual art exhibitions and other creative Refugee Week celebrations over Zoom, the movement is connecting in new ways to support those seeking sanctuary.
This time is also a perfect opportunity for us all to learn how to communicate our network principles more effectively online. These include offering a positive vision of a culture of welcome and hospitality to all as well as creating opportunities for relationships of friendship and solidarity between local people and those seeking sanctuary, to name just two (see here for the full list).
Back in May we set up a collaborative film-making initiative called #SanctuaryStoriesOnline to share our stories and communicate our network principles with the wider movement and beyond. We’ve had a fantastic response to our first video challenge (‘What can we learn from lockdown?’) which will be released in the first week of July.
Who can get involved?
Anyone can get involved no matter the quality of your phone or laptop. If you’re unable to use your phone or laptop camera, there are other ways we can help you share your story, whether through telephone interviews, email exchanges or you sending us photos via email.
if you are interested in taking part, please register here.
July filmmaking challenge – Visions of Welcome!
This is a great opportunity to share your story of how your town or city has created a culture of welcome. It might be the story of friendship between residents in your neighbourhood? Or it might be how your City of Sanctuary group has offered welcome through an activity, like a sport’s event, or a music concert. Or maybe challenging a culture of hostility by petitioning your local MP to support refugee rights, such as Lift the Ban?
Getting involved
Please register by clicking on the following link, indicating your interest via question 8. Sam Slatcher will then get in touch to offer you some practical tips, including a free online training session and discuss how you might share your story.
If you would like to get involved with a theme or have any other ideas you would like to share, please message Sam here.
Please also get in touch if you have any suggestions or would like to get involved with the editing and producing of videos.
