WeOwnTV: Idriss Kpange Filmmaker Fellowship

Greetings GlobalGiving Community! 

In this update, we will hear from WeOwnTV filmmaker fellow Emmanuel about his film BREAKING THE SILENCE! The film looks at the operations of mining companies including, Africa Minerals/Shan Dong Steel, London Mining, Octea Diamond Mining, Addax Bio Energy/Sunbird and Sierra Rutile Company Limited and how they have impacted the livelihood of the communities where they operate.

"The subject is very personal to me as my own father lost his land due to a mining company related corperate land grab.The production began in June 2017 and we are excited to announce the project is now finished. I am very greatful to have recieved the support of WeOwnTV for this project. Our goal is to start community screenings to help spread the message of the film and give a voice to these victimized communities.

Even under normal circumstances life in ‘Salone’ (Sierra Leone) is intense and very challenging, so to embark on a project during this stricken times has meant that we needed to be prepared for all kinds of obstacles.The BREAKING THE SILENCE! crew went to the east, north and south of Sierra Leone to specific areas like Bombali, Tonkolili, Kono, Moyamba and Bonthe Districts being the country's hotpots for different minerals. 

Going back to Bunbuna and up the far hills of Kemedugu where SD Steel does its largest mining operation, I met a young man who was so bold to lead the process to break the silence on their issues with SD Steel. Everyone in the village was scared to talk because they thought I was working for the government and I want to take their pictures to the government so they can be imprisoned. I was shocked but not surprised because they told me how they were beating and shot at and dragged to prison in Makeni when they protested for their rights and they were afraid for a repeat of such inhuman treatment. But the bravery of Mohamed and others to come forward and speak out gave everyone the freedom to share their stories with me.

Mohamed is the youth leader of the Kemedugu community where Africa minerals now Shandon Steel does its largest mining operation. He breaks Silence on the massive land rights and right to food violations of the company against his people and they rank amongst the poorest communities in Sierra Leone.

Filming at the Addax/Sunbird bioenergy area brought me to know Zainab a hard working woman who goes beyond every limit to fight for the right of her people especially matters dealing with land rights and rights to food.

Zainab is the head of the Affected Land Owners and Users Association (AFLOUA) who has been so active in fighting for the right of her people against the demands of Addax Bioenergy now Sunbird Bioenergy and that of the government. Her activism made her a target for a lot of stakeholders who saw her as a threat to their interest but Zainab has never given in to any intimidation and she is prepared to use her voice as the voice of her people."

Thank you so much for your ongoing support!

The WeOwnTV Filmmaker Fellowship is a film fund and professional development program supporting the production of independent documentaries directed by West African filmmakers. The program provides filmmakers with funding for their project, filmmaking (creative labs) labs, one-on-one mentoring, professional development workshops and networking opportunities. The Fellowship is made possible through generous support from the Bertha Foundation and the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation.