Short
Summary
I
am Mwiza Nyirenda,a Malawian film maker and social rights activist. In 2013 I completed the film,Umunthu, a 30 minute first
person documentary on homosexuality in Malawi that investigates the
complexities of tolerance, acceptance and culture in relationship LGBTQ rights.
Umunthu has been selected for the Boston
International Film Festival (BIFF),taking place April 11-21st. Attending this festival, and the
screening of Umunthu is integrally important to the continued dialogue
surrounding this human rights issue, on both a national and international
scope. Presenting, screening and discussing Umunthu throughout Boston will help
give voice to a perspective that is rarely heard, and needs to be heard,
regarding the issue of homosexuality and how it is perceived in an African
country. I anticipate meeting with several stake holders that will further our
screening efforts in Malawi and in other countries throughout Africa as a
result of attending this festival. It is also an amazing opportunity as a
burgeoning artist to attend such a festival for networking, and to further
develop my voice and abilities as a social change advocate.
In
addition to the screening at BIFF
I intend to screen the film,and
host a panel discussion, at Harvard University in conjunction with Still
Harbor. I will also leverage this opportunity to intern with internationally
recognized film maker, and Executive Director of BIFF, Patrick Jerome.
In conjunction with this campaign, I am also seeking
funding for this trip through the Prince Claus Fund and individual donors. Even
if the full amount is not raised on Indigogo I am hopeful that I will still be
able to attend the festival, but I need your help in making it possible! If we
raise more than we expect, the additional funds will go to help bring Executive
Director, Galia Boneh to Boston as well.
What We Need & What You Get
I am trying to
raise $3,500 USD to cover
expenses for the trip.
$2,000 USD will
be used to pay forair fare
$1,500 USD will be used to cover meals, travel expenses while in Boston and
between Boston and New York, and accommodation as necessary (when I'm not couch
surfing!).
PERKS:
$25 - a signed poster
$100 - a copy of the DVD
$500 - a copy of the DVD and if in Boston, a chat with me over coffee or Dinner and a ticket to the film's screening
at film festival.
$1000 - Umunthu screening, discussion and Q&A session with film maker and social justice
advocate, Mwiza Nyirenda (ME!),at
a venue of your choice(available
in Boston and New York, between April 19th-29th).
The Impact
The
issue of homosexuality is divisive not only in Malawi but worldwide, and much
of the debate has focused on African countries. In some African countries, such
as Uganda and Nigeria, anti-gay movements are becoming increasingly influential
on the state and the public. What the American and European public do not
understand is that anti-gay campaigns are often perceived as acts of resistance
to European and American dominance, and the public in some African countries is
not as unanimously homophobic as they appear to be on the media. Umunthu presents how the issue is perceived and
discussed in the Malawian context,and tries to shape an African response
towards the issue of homosexuality through an indigenous pan African concept of Umunthu-
which simply means I
am because we are. It
presents a variety of opinions, and shows how and why the issue becomes too politicized and emotionally charged.
The opportunity to screen the film, Umunthu for an international audience
not only provides a rare chance for that audience to hear an African voice, but
also challenges the image of Africa perpetuated by western
media as a homophobic continent. Earlier this year,Umunthu was screened at the Pan
African Film Festival in Los Angeles (http://www.paff.org/filmfest/2014-films/umunthu-an-african-response-to-homosexuality/).
The audience at the festival expressed the feeling that the film challenges
negative attitudes towards Africa.
Screening Umunthu at the Boston International Film
Festival, Harvard University and other spaces in Boston and New York serves as a continuation of the film's goal to create
sober platforms to discuss the issue of LGBTQ rights. Its not only about offering an
African perspective to the ongoing discussion of the issue--but creating a cross-cultural exchange
of ideas, moving towards a place of tolerance and acceptance for all.
In
Malawi,Umunthu, as part of the UP program,at the
Art & Global Health Centre Africa, has been screened in seven colleges. The
following article demonstrates the discourse it has initiated: http://www.nyasatimes.com/2013/10/30/chanco-graduates-film-umunthu-revamps-debate-on-gays-in-malawi/
To learn more about Umunthu, and the Art and Global
Health Center please visit our website and facebook pages: www.aghcafrica.org,https://www.facebook.com/pages/Umunthu/518816898197399
https://www.facebook.com/aghcafrica,
Thank
you so much in advance for your support.Your
generosity shall not be taken for granted.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you are in Boston, please attend Umunthu screening at the
festival on 18 April from 1:00 PM to 3:15 PM at the At the AMC/Loews Theater 175 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02108 and also attend the Boston International
Film Festival which starts on 11 to 21 April 2014.
