Wednesday 16th October 2019, Bird’s Eye View Productions and Trinidad and Tobago Rocks in collaboration with TTVSolNet and The Caribbean Refugees Voices, invite you to the premiere of Nearest Neighbours, and an encore screening of Lifted. Both documentary films explore the experience of Venezuelan refugees and asylum-seekers in Trinidad and Tobago. 

The program will kick off with a collection drive at 6pm, during which we will be accepting the following food and hygiene items for distribution to Venezuelan refugee and migrant families by TTVSolNet: rice, pasta, milk, tuna (canned), sardines (canned), sugar, salt, beans, flour, corn flour, cereal, soap, shampoo, sanitary pads, toothpaste, toothbrushes, baby diapers.

The film screening begins at 7pm, and will be followed by a question and answer segment, and a panel discussion.

Date: Wednesday 16th October 2019, 6pm to 9pm
Location: Big Black Box. 33 Murray Street, Port of Spain
Audience: family friendly

Social media page: https://www.facebook.com/events/859327751127839/

About Nearest Neighbours (2019): 

Since 2015, at least 16,000 Venezuelans are confirmed to have fled to Trinidad and Tobago. The twin island republic is of one of the most economically viable options for asylum seekers, yet many are unaware of the reality that is to welcome them. Nearest Neighbours interweaves the stories of four main sets of characters: a journalist; a couple with three young children and their abuela; a woman who is living in a horse stable among other refugees; and a computer engineer turned construction worker and his family. The film explores how these refugees and asylum-seekers navigate their environments daily and work to move their lives forward amidst many unexpected challenges, including rampant xenophobia and a lack of legal rights due to the absence of local refugee legislation.

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY: RHONDA CHAN SOO
PRODUCED BY BIRD’S EYE VIEW PRODUCTIONS LTD
PRODUCERS: EMILIE UPCZAK, JOHN OTTERBACHER
Runtime: 22 minutes

About Lifted (2019):

Trinidad & Tobago is home to over 7,000 asylum-seekers and refugees—including parents who have fled to protect themselves and their children. Set against frank conversation about diversity, Lifted follows the highs and lows experienced by a refugee family as they journey through Port-of-Spain, and encounter a group of Moko Jumbies (stiltwalkers). Lifted is written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Miquel Galofré, produced by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and T&T Rocks, and features interviews with Sticks in De Yard/#1000Mokos.

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY MIQUEL GALOFRÉ
PRODUCED BY T&T ROCKS
Runtime: 26 mins