Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka would like to invite

Nairobi based journalists to the launch of

Slum Stories

A short documentary film series by community filmmakers

from the slums

of Kibera, Korogocho and Mathare.

Speakers:

Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, Under Secretary-General & Executive Director

UN-HABITAT

Richard Le Bars, Acting Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya

Tom Perlmutter, Government Film Commissioner & Chairperson of

The National Film Board of Canada

Filmmakers from Ghetto Film Trust, Hot Sun Foundation and Slum TV

Date: Thursday 13 August 2009

Time: 12.00 noon

Venue: Serena Hotel, Allamanda Room

Background:

Slum Stories, Kenya, is a collaborative mentorship project focusing on strengthening the production and marketing skills of filmmakers from Kibera, Korogocho and Mathare.

The project was the result of an agreement between UN-HABITAT and the National Film Board of Canada, supporting and working with community media practitioners who create and use media for change.  Slum Stories, Kenya was a 5-month collaborative project with Ghetto Film Trust, Hot Sun Foundation, and Slum TV – each located in one of three slums in Nairobi. Together we created a model for mentorship and exchange from development through to production, post-production and the release of social issue documentary short films.

The Burden, Lost Chance and Tale of Two Cities shed light on issues of inequity between rich and poor, as well as the resourcefulness, talent and will of those living in slums and urban settlements. The three short documentary films produced in this series were created by, with and for those living and working in poor urban settlements – and for all others interested in social issues and social issue documentaries.

Slum Stories, Kenya is a Global Challenge for Change community media initiative of UN-HABITAT and the National Film Board of Canada, in association with Ghetto Film Trust, Hot Sun Foundation and Slum TV.

THE FILMS

Lost Chance

There are over a billion slum dwellers worldwide. Mathare slum in Nairobi has a population of 500,000. Despite free primary education, many children do not go to school. Isaac, an 8-year-old boy, spends his day cleaning the house and looking after his younger sister.

Produced by Slum TV, in association with UN-HABITAT and the National Film Board of Canada.

Director: Effantus Kariuki

Camera: Nicholas Mathenge
Sound: Vilnick Kemuma
Producer: Benson Kamau
With Support from Sam Hopkins

The Burden

After the death of their parents, Maimuna had her grandchildren move in with her. The Burden tells the story of one family’s resourcefulness to earn a living.  .

Produced by Hot Sun Films, in association with UN-HABITAT and the National Film Board of Canada.

Director: Kevin Otieno
Camera: Amos Wangwa
Sound: Mabel Ayitso.
Editor: Julius Kasyoka
Producer: Halima Ahmed
With support from Nathan Collett from Hot Sun Foundation

Tale of Two Cities

The contrast between rich and poor is vividly portrayed as Rose takes us from her home in Korogocho to her day job as a maid for a wealthy family in Nairobi.

Produced by Ghetto Film Trust, in association with UN-HABITAT and the National Film Board of Canada.

Director/Cinematographer: Steven Nyaga,Partick Shomba
Camera Trainee: Simon Mathai
Sound Trainee: Naphtali Wambugu
Editor: Murad Rayani
Line Producer: Arun P. Elhance
Grants manager: Nottawasaga Institute

For more information, please contact: Spokesperson & Head, Press & Media Relations Unit, or the Media Liaison Officer, Tel: (254 20) 623153; 623151, 623136; Fax: (254 20) 624060:

E-mail: habitat.press@unhabitat.org; Website: www.unhabitat.org