Migration has always been part of our shared story. Throughout history, people have moved, journeying with their cultures and beliefs to new places; to learn, to exchange, for safety and often to start anew. The stories we live through, or hear about or actively create are all part of this journey. Finding ways to share these experiences becomes our collective storytelling and a path to growing our ability to accept others, embrace difference and live with compassion.
Passage: Stories of Migration and Belonging short films share powerful insights by pairs of storytellers from migrant and refugee backgrounds working collaboratively for the first time. Through a series of facilitated workshops, conversations and idea making, six participants worked with CuriousWorks filmmakers to create three short films for this pilot project.
Tied together by explorations of concepts of migration and belonging, the films range in subject matter and style, including intergenerational conversations and creative reflections on ritual, adaptation and change.
CuriousWorks, working with The University of Wollongong (South West Sydney campus) and Settlement Services International, have facilitated spaces for newly arrived refugees to dialogue and conceptualise with university students towards creating short films reflecting on experiences and perceptions of migration and belonging.
'SWIMMING ONTO UNKNOWN PLACES' | SHORT FILM
CREATOR: MARIAM ABBAS + YASAMEEN KANAANI
Batool Kanaani as Girl (Young)
Yasameen Kanaani as Girl (Grown Up)
Mariam Abbas as Friend
Yasameen Kanaani as Girl (Grown Up)
Mariam Abbas as Friend
Producer | CuriousWorks
Story | Mariam Abbas, Yasameen Kanaani
Director & Editor | Sandra May
Cinematographer | Diego Murillo
Sound | Steph Vajda
Story | Mariam Abbas, Yasameen Kanaani
Director & Editor | Sandra May
Cinematographer | Diego Murillo
Sound | Steph Vajda
Poem by Wadih Saadeh
'MOVE ON' | SHORT FILM
CREATOR: CARMIN YALDA + Tiên Thủy Phạm
Amira Halabi as Girl
Producer | CuriousWorks
Story | Carmin Yalda, Tiên Thủy Phạm
Director & Editor | Sandra May
Cinematographer | Diego Murillo
Sound | Shawn Spina, Steph Vajda
Story | Carmin Yalda, Tiên Thủy Phạm
Director & Editor | Sandra May
Cinematographer | Diego Murillo
Sound | Shawn Spina, Steph Vajda
'BELONGING, BEING AND BECOMING' | SHORT FILM
CREATOR: HENRIETTA AMEVOR + MARY GRANOPOULOS
Henrietta Amevor as Herself
Mary Amevor as Herself
Nicholas Lambrou as Himself
Mary Granopoulos as Herself
Mary Amevor as Herself
Nicholas Lambrou as Himself
Mary Granopoulos as Herself
Producer | CuriousWorks
Director & Editor | Sandra May
Cinematographer | Diego Murillo, Adam McPhilbin
Sound | Steph Vajda
Director & Editor | Sandra May
Cinematographer | Diego Murillo, Adam McPhilbin
Sound | Steph Vajda