By Josphat Namtenda | Project Leader
Dear Supporters,
Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we are thrilled to share an update on our project, Empower Marginalised Voices Through Film. While we officially launched on GlobalGiving in September 2024, the past few months have been about building momentum and preparing for impactful activities in the new year.
Milestones Achieved So Far:
1. GlobalGiving Giving Tuesday Campaign
On December 3, 2024, we participated in the Giving Tuesday campaign for the first time, and we were excited to receive our first donation of $100. This support, paired with a $25 matching contribution from GlobalGiving, marked an encouraging start to our journey on this platform. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our first donor for their belief in our mission and vision.
2. Building a Strong Start for 2025
December has been a pivotal month of planning and preparation for our activities in the new year. Starting this January, we will roll out our first hands-on workshops and creative showcases, including:
- Workshops: Teaching storytelling, filmmaking, and photography to youth from underserved communities, equipping them with skills to tell authentic stories.
- Community and Special Screenings: Hosting interactive screenings in open-air and indoor venues that will include discussions, Q&A sessions, and a platform for young creators to showcase their work.
- Collaborative Projects: For the first time, we are working alongside a dynamic local partner, from Kibera, to enrich the program by integrating photography with filmmaking. This collaboration will engage youth from diverse age groups (9-15 years and 18+), bridging gaps between creative disciplines and empowering a broader community in Kibera.
These efforts are designed to create opportunities for young creatives and foster dialogue in communities that have long been underrepresented.
Challenges and Lessons Learned:
One of the main challenges we encountered was launching during the latter part of the year, coinciding with the holiday season. Despite limited time, the support received during Giving Tuesday has shown us the importance of engaging our community and donors more proactively and earlier in the year for campaigns.
What’s Next in 2025:
We are thrilled to kick off our first workshops this January, which will culminate in a premiere screening and exhibition of the projects created by participants. The workshops will focus on equipping youth in Kibera with the skills to tell their stories, while the screenings will invite the broader community to celebrate their creativity.
Our first partnership in Kibera adds a fresh dimension to our mission by blending photography and filmmaking, fostering creative synergy, and expanding the impact of our work to a younger age group. Together, we are amplifying voices, cultivating artistic talent, and building a vibrant creative ecosystem in the community.
As this is our first report, we are eager to build momentum, foster stronger relationships with our supporters, and showcase the transformative power of your contributions.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Story
We couldn’t have made it this far without you. Your support fuels our mission, and we are committed to keeping you updated every step of the way. Stay tuned for updates on our January activities, stories from the field, and more milestones we’ll achieve together.
If you haven’t already, please share our project with your network to help us expand our impact. Together, we can empower more voices and create change through the art of film.
With gratitude and optimism,
The Slum Film Festival Team
Images used in this report © Dizze Dizze.
P.S. If you’d like to continue supporting our mission, you can donate here: [https://goto.gg/66459].
Links:
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