In our age of visual media, we must engage women as media advocates, believing that visual narratives will encourage indigenous leaders in countries experiencing conflict to advance human dignity and the freedom of conscience for everyone. Women can create short films that advance the legal principal of freedom of thought, religion or belief for every person without distinction.
It is urgent we share empowering messages that advance understanding, freedom of belief and peace. Our films represent a collective effort between the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation and Empower Women Media to equip women as media advocates.
A Palestinian and British woman join together to build a business to serve those in need.
2018 First Runner Up, by Mariya Dostzadah Goodbrake
An Afghan woman uses her family business to serve the religiously mixed refugee community with a soccer program.
First Runner Up, Olfa Arfaoui and Randy Abbassi
A Tunisian female shares how women’s empowerment, with religious liberty at its core, is a pathway to peace and prosperity.
Second Runner Up, Mariz Doss and Karen Schenk
An Egyptian female shares her story of overcoming marginalization through sports and fitness, believing if you give women a chance to succeed, they will.
PEACE BUILDING
Executive Summary of the Plan on Action
United Nations Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors
This film was made in partnership with the United Nation’s Office for the Prevention of Genocide, NGOs and faith leaders to counter cultural and religious based violence.
Peace Building Gathering, Cumbria, UK
The Rose Castle Foundation gathers UN, NGO, faith leaders and peace actors to counter violence and promote a message of reconciliation.
Women 4 Peace Media Summit 2017
Women For Peace Summit, Tunisia
The Women 4 Peace Media Summit gathered professional women for workshops to create media projects that promotes peace and security around the world.
Trapped in a terrorist plot in Los Angeles, a young woman grapples with God’s will when she makes a surprising discovery
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
“Portions” tells the story of a woman with limited choices who discovers an abundance that could be hers. The Portions film won Best Short Fiction Film at the World of Women Film Fair in Dubai.
“Equations” shows that when a company discriminates on the basis of gender and belief, they might just miss the most perfect employee to reach their business goals.
“Paper Dresses” tells the story of a young fashion designer facing cultural barriers and receiving help from an unexpected source.
Interested in bringing EWM Media Training to your team?
Empower Women Media will custom design a 1 to 2-day Media Summit to train your team in applying story to better fulfill your organizational mission.
Learn more by visiting our Media Training page.
Questions? Contact Shirin Taber at shirin@visualstory.org.
2020 Empower Women Film Festival (Recorded)
Note: Films begin at the 23:00 minute mark.
Audiences from around the world joined the 2020 Empower Women Media Film Festival and Awards cosponsored with the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation.