FilmAid International

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FilmAid International is a non-profit 501(c)(3)humanitarian organization that uses the power of film to address the needs of displaced people around the world. The organization was founded in 1999 to help people in Macedonia who had fled from their homes in Kosovo. With the encouragement of the United Nations, FilmAid then expanded its reach into Afghanistan and Africa. FilmAid currently operates in two refugee camps in Kenya (Kakuma and Dadaab), where it assists people fleeing war, violent conflict or natural disaster in countries including Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Eritrea and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

FilmAid has implemented a variety of programs to address the critical needs of the communities it serves. Its signature “Outdoor Evening Screenings” take place several nights per week and have reached up to 30,000 people in one evening. FilmAid’s “Daytime Screenings” are followed by group discussions enabling a deeper discussion about topics of concern. The “Participatory Video Program” for young people and “Community-Based Video Program” teach individuals filmmaking skills that help them develop videos that are shown to thousands throughout the camps. Topics addressed in these videos include conflict resolution and peace building, health education (e.g., HIV/AIDS, cholera, malaria prevention), landmine awareness, prevention of sexual abuse and gender-based violence among women and girls, repatriation information and more.

All of FilmAid’s programs are based on the principles of refugee participation and empowerment. Refugee Advisory Boards review films and select those that are shown in all screenings. Members of the various refugee communities within the camps are taught to write scripts, direct, act and edit the videos that are used in FilmAid’s programs. FilmAid’s programs have been proven to educate, improve refugee health and self-esteem, break the monotony and isolation of refugee life and reduce stigma, tension and conflict.

FilmAid is a Global Implementing Partner of the UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency), and is funded by a variety of individuals, private foundations, corporations, international agencies and the US State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees & Migration.