Best Foreign Shortest

Having returned from our extended tour of the US Northwest we (myself & family) are pretty tied, however, we did not return empty handed as I was carrying a large medallion from the WIFF! A Question Of Content won it's category (Best Foreign Shortest) so we are all quite delighted. The festival itself was great fun and very friendly with Breven (the organiser) being a perfect host. Work must start now on my next short A Martian Eclipse!

Seattle USA

Welcome from Seattle USA ... just a brief blog today as I'm on an unsecured network and I am paranoid! Right:- Fact #1 Did you know that Jimi Hendrix dead at the age of 27? Fact #2 Did you know that he came from Seattle? Fact #3 Did you know that he served for about a year in the 101st (of "D" day fame!) Airborne Division? No? Then visit the Experience Music Project Seattle to find out more!
Off to the Washougal International Film Festival tomorrow so bye for now!

The Struggle For Life

Next week I travel to the US to attend the Washougal International Film Festival (with A Question Of Content) but before I go I’d like to share with you extracts of an email I received from the organisers. It makes difficult reading, but I hope you agree with me that it is right to publicise this as widely as possible.
‘Family, Friends and Filmmakers, July 30th, 2009…. I optioned a feature film docu-drama project to shoot in Southern Sudan. A film about a group of refugee women who build a sustainable farm…… We had started building this farm and the local Sudanese and Congolese community were generous and helpful in making this farm a reality, from tribal leaders, to political leaders and even local diocese, everyone was involved. I have met with so many of these people who were willing to collaborate with me to help share the plight of their people. It seemed everyone wanted to be involved to help tell the stories of their family members, many who had been refugees themselves. Never could we have imagined that the LRA [Lord's Resistance Army] would actually move into this area. What we started has been destroyed and my friends who have helped me are now in a refugee camp. Some have been raped, tortured and murdered. This plea humbles me beyond belief.I know these stories may seem unreal. ………. And I thank you for reading an email unlike any other I have ever shared. Simply, my heart has broken in unimaginable ways in the past few days. My father returned from Sudan and Congo only 10 days ago. After over a decade of working in this part of the world he has just returned from the most emotionally stressful journey he has ever faced. Mind you he has been bombed, surrounded by the LRA(Lord's Resistance Army) rebel armies, been struck at by a black mamba and faced disease, but this most recent trip, no one could have prepared him for. …….. people whose stories burden my heart and I must share with you. These people fled to the center of Ezo town where I have filmed and met many locals. There is right now over 20,000 people in an area the size of two football fields. There is no water, no food, no place to dispose of waste and disease will quickly be a factor. Because everyone fled the rebels with nothing but the clothes on their back they have little to nothing. These people are traditionally subsistence farmers. They eat what they plant. And when they do not plant they do not eat. They have two planting seasons in the year. They already missed one. There are no food relief programs currently helping in this area. The end of September will be the last planting season. We are simply trying to get seeds and basic tools (rakes and hoes) to the people before this season ends. It is our hope that we can get there to deliver these materials by the beginning of September. Please meet some of our friends.

1. Suzanna Luka had escaped from the LRA two days before my dad met her and spoke with her, and took her picture just two weeks ago. Suzanna was unable to speak her own tribal language and only able to speak in the language of the rebel army. ………
2. Margaret, Pastor Paul’s wife ….. . Her husband Pastor Paul has been working with my father for six years. ….
3. Josta, …….. He lay in some bushes while 4 babies were beaten to death, 13 young girls were abducted and 70 people including his family were burned alive.
4. …..
5. …..
I do not know how to tell you that these are just a few of the stories that my friends are sharing with me. I spoke this very morning on the phone with my brother Godfrey. He said, "How are you doing my sister?" And I stand here in the Pacific North West splendor, with my abundant garden full of fresh food in the safety and comfort of my home and family. And I tell him "I am blessed". He tells me, "Sister, today I was meant to die. Three bullets were shot directly at me, but they did not kill me." He says, "We must share the suffering of our people, it is very hard for many people to live." I know I am small and cannot do much. But please won’t you help me in getting my friends some basic needs and supplies. I do not know what is possible for you to do. It is my hope I can get back to Sudan in September and film the delivery of seeds and tools to my friends and family. We can supply a family with seeds for the season and tools, such as a pick and hoe for about $50 per family. I have never asked for anything like this, but if you can help in anyway please please make a tax deductible donation to EMI and the seeds will be delivered directly into the hands of these people next month. Mass starvation come the new year will be a serious reality without this help. Follow this link to help now:

https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1001648

Learn more about my family's nonprofit at Equipping Ministries International:http://www.equippingministriesinternational.org/And if you'd prefer to mail support, you can make checks out to Equipping Ministries International and mail to: PO BOX 1125, Washougal, WA 98671 USA …… Thank you so much for your time and consideration. And I pray I never ever have to share such grievous realities again. May my next news be most blessed for all.
Feel embraced,breven’