Mightier Than the Sword
A documentary project by Journeys to the Edge
Journeys to the Edge (J2E) is very pleased to announce a partnership with Entertainment Media Arts Society (EMA). The Canadian charity, under President Jacqueline Feldman of Vancouver, is supporting J2E’s upcoming project: a documentary to be filmed this summer in Afghanistan titled Mightier Than the Sword: The Emergence of Female Afghan Journalists and Filmmakers and their Impact on Gender Perceptions in Afghanistan. J2E will require $30,000 to cover the cost of accommodations, security, equipment, translators, drivers and crew salaries — most of whom are being recruited from the Afghan film and TV community. In support of this initiative, which will explore the advancements made by Afghan women in the media and their impact on profoundly conservative, patriarchal attitudes, EMA has agreed to issue charity receipts for donations that support the production of Mightier Than the Sword.
The main character in the documentary is 20-year-old Mubareka Sahar Fetrat (“Sahar”) of Kabul. Sahar is an outstanding example of Afghan youth — deeply committed to helping nurture women’s equality. Already a prolific documentarian as well as a scholarship student at Kabul University, Sahar has an impressive list of film credits, including Kabul Cards, which chronicles the lives of three young Afghan girls in Kabul, and Do Not Trust My Silence!, about Afghan women living with ubiquitous street harassment. Mightier Than the Sword will record the extraordinary challenges Sahar faces as she undertakes another documentary this summer, filming in the busy, dusty streets of Kabul. The documentary will also capture the lives of other female journalists and media professionals as well as civil and women’s rights activists and politicians. These include people like Mozhdah Jamalzadah, who has been called the “Oprah of Afghanistan” and whose show, Mozhdah, had a profound and positive impact on Afghan society during its two-year broadcast, addressing some of society’s most taboo and controversial topics.
If you have a question contact J2E Director Roberta Staley at rstaley@shaw.ca or 604.738.9251. Cheques should be made out to Entertainment Media Arts Society and can be mailed c/o Roberta Staley #108 – 975 West 13 Ave. Vancouver, BC V5Z 1P4. A tax receipt will be mailed to you within three weeks.
The documentary is expected to debut in Vancouver in 2016. All donors will receive, in addition to a tax receipt, copies of the film and in invitation to the preview screening.
Entertainment Media Arts Society is a registered charity No. 861280428RR0001.
EMA President Jacqueline Feldman (604) 720-2174 steelnblues@telus.net Website: http://emasociety.blogspot.ca.
