Spotlight Shorts films on gender-based violence to be screened today
JAFTA/UNICEF project celebrates World Human Rights Day
Published:Sunday | December 10, 2023 | 12:15 AM
Understanding all too well the impact films can have on difficult conversations, the Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA) two years ago embarked upon a partnership with the Spotlight Initiative through UNICEF Jamaica to explore the issue of gender-based violence. The project – Spotlight Shorts - engages local filmmakers to tell the real-life stories of survivors of gender-based violence through film.
More than telling the tales of survivors of gender-based violence, however, JAFTA and UNICEF want to bring about positive change by providing stories that will provoke reflection, discussion and action for change at the individual and community levels, beginning with the filmmakers themselves who worked on this project.
Lesley-Ann Wanliss, business development and initiative chairperson at JAFTA, shared that the initiative provided sensitisation on gender-based violence for filmmakers outside of JAFTA.
“You had to attend a sensitisation and awareness session before submitting script. Additionally, for those teams chosen, there was psycho-social suport on set for cast and crew as they tackled this difficult issue and direct mental health assistance for survivors which went beyond the shooting,” Wanliss explained.
Spotlight Shorts also provided funds to support youth mentees on the set of each film and a filmmaking workshop for youths from communities in which Spotlight CSO partners work.
“Collaborating with UNICEF reinforced the value of grants for the arts in the Caribbean space. We are grateful for grants of this nature because they have a national and cultural impact on issues, provide filmmakers with opportunity to create films, as well help young people dream beyond their circumstances and receive practical tools and opportunities to make something for themselves,” Wansliss said.
Happy to have been handed a platform through which such a sensitive issue as gender-based violence could be given the ‘spotlight’, the selected writers and filmmakers committed all their creative energy into ensuring their projects aligned with the project’s main objective. The hope is that the two selected films, We Need to Talk About Consent and Not by Will, will not only educate and empower, but also heal.
Both films will be screened at the Carib Theatre on World Human Rights Day, Sunday, December 10, as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Reflecting on the successful partnership with JAFTA, UNICEF representative, Novia Condell, said Spotlight Shorts demonstrated the importance of engaging and securing support from all sectors to address the issue of gender-based violence in Jamaica.
“Over the past three years, government, the United Nations and civil society have all worked together to address gender-based violence and child abuse. Some important gains have been made in terms of building the capacity of first responders, engaging non-governmental organisations, communities and families, and strengthening policies, systems and institutions to respond to gender-based violence,” Condell said.