SIA goes to UN in New York

Just came back from the screening of Sisters Arms at the Canadian Mission in New York City! We were here as a side event during the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women hosted by the Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN and UN Women.

I had the privilege of sharing the program with award winning filmmaker Abigail Disney, producer of  Pray the Devil Back to Hell , the inspirational story of the women of Liberia and their efforts to bring peace to their broken nation after decades of destructive civil war.  She currently developing a four-hour project called Women, War & Peace.

The audience included Canadian Military Advisor Colonel Christopher Simonds, Executive Director of The Status of Women Canada, and representatives from the US, Chilean and South African missions.

We had a fascinating Q & A with Abigail, Sarah Douglas – expert on gender and security sector reform with UN Women, and Karen Davis dialed in from Kingston, Ontario. There was a real appreciation for the way the Sisters in Arms women were portrayed – clear, confident, empowered – as too often women are shown as victims (of the system, war, men etc).

Sisters in Arms was very well received and a number of people expressed interest in arranging screenings for their audiences.

The dialogue has truly begun.  Next week we’ll be screening in Ottawa and Kingston with upcoming dates in Washington DC, Fredericton NB, and Toronto!

Special thanks to Chantale Walker of the Canadian Mission for inviting us to screen at this event!

Your comments are always Welcome.