The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) will host the UNiTE Film Festival and Workshop programme on Friday, 28 November and Saturday, 6 December 2014 at Ngangelizwe Y-Centre in Umtata, Eastern Cape, and Alexandra Township, Johannesburg respectively. The event is part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, an on-going global campaign taking place between the 25 November and 10 December 2014.
The 2014 campaign is held under the theme: Count Me In: Together Moving A Non-Violence South Africa Forward. The theme emphasises a collective approach for every individual to take part in moving a non-violent South Africa forward. This is aimed at encouraging a greater participation of men in an effort to prevent violence against women and children.
The UNiTE Film Festival and Community Activism programme was launched in South Africa in 2011 to coincide with the 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children and to support the UNiTE to End Violence Against Women Campaign which was launched by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in 2008.
The Department of Arts and Culture regards the arts and culture sector as a catalyst for promoting nation building and social cohesion. It is against this background that film screening has been utilised as one the powerful creative media to address pertinent issues on gender based violence and abuse of women and children. Arts and culture open powerful spaces for debate about where a society finds itself and where it is going.
The Department of Arts and Culture in partnership with the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) and South African Police Service (SAPS) in Alexandra will conduct community workshops as well as screening films to raise awareness on the campaign. This activation will among others encourage dialogues on topics tackling issues of Gender based violence and short programme on film-making. Film makers and directors, gender activists, community groups and faith based organisations; representatives from humanitarian and non-profit organisations are expected to play a major role during the workshops.
The film and workshop programme will end with a closing event that will take place on 10 December 2014 in Diepsloot, Johannesburg.
Enquiries:
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
E-mail: lisac@dac.go.za
Teresa Magidela
Cell: 072 222 3169
E-mail: teresam@dac.gov.za
