Risky business: Afghan women filmmakers

ICA Cinema 1 Thu 12 Mar 6.30pm

An exclusive evening celebrating women in Afghanistan with the UK premieres of these short documentaries made by three outstanding young women.

Supported by ActionAid.

For venues and booking info click here

Half Value Life

Dir. Alka Sadat, Afghanistan 2008, 25 mins, subtitles

A gripping, stylish film featuring Mariya Bashir - the first and only public prosecutor in Herat, a city known for its corruption, booming kidnapping industry and, above all, domestic violence against women.

A Day in the Life of Rahela

Dir. Dil Afruz Zeerak, Afghanistan 2006, 27 mins, subtitles

13-year-old Rahela lives on one of the steep mountainsides in the middle of Kabul. There is no sewage system, no cars and no international relief organisations: they are all based on the plain. A beautifully observed encounter between two women: the filmmaker and her protagonist.

A Girl from Kabul
Dir. Shakiba Adil, Afghanistan/Finland 2007, 15 mins, subtitles

Parwin is a camerawoman for the national broadcasting service in Kabul. If she gets married, it will mean the end of her career, but being single is an invitation to slander.

Also at the Festival:

Peace Mission: Welcome to Nollywood
Anyiam-Fiberesima

9 March 2009

Nigeria's Nollywood is now the world's third largest film industry after Hollywood and Bollywood. The film's protagonist, Peace Anyiam-Fiberesima, is one of its leading producers.

Real World Films: Portraits from Brazil and Palestine
plus panel & Q&A with directors

WORLD PREMIERE

9 March 2009

Real World is a unique collaboration between the Institute of Development Studies’ Pathways of Women's Empowerment programme and Screen South.

Connecting Voices: Films from the Commonwealth
plus directors Q&A

10 March 2009

A special programme presenting the best of Commonwealth talent with Indian documentary, Kenyan drama and animation Trinidad and Tobago.

The Festiva's documentary section includes

The Age of Stupid

6 March 2009

A powerful, innovative appeal against climate change; an archivist in 2055 looks back to when we could have saved ourselves. From the creator of McLibel.

Time of Their Lives
plus director Q&A and characters from the film

8 March 2009

Three incredible women, aged 88-102, living in a home for the active elderly, share their memories, hopes, and passions, while they keep writing, campaigning, and finishing crosswords...

The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins
LONDON PREMIERE

9 March 2009

This Sundance winning “poetic fusion" (Variety) follows internationally acclaimed New York conceptual artist Vanessa Beecroft as she treads the path of Madonna and Angelina Jolie attempting to adopt Sudanese twins.

Brides of Allah (Shahida)
UK PREMIERE

9 March 2009 - 10 March 2009

UK Premiere of FIPRESCI Award winner, Berlin IFF Forum 2008, gives voice to the young women serving time for failed suicide attacks.

* Bird's Eye Festival