A TV charity is hosting a screening of its Hackney-produced film Women: A Success Story at Leytonstone library this Friday, in celebration of International Women’s Day.
The screening will be hosted by WORLDwrite and followed by a Q&A with the film’s director, Ceri Dingle, and the women who were involved in the documentary.
WORLDbyte, the school of citizen TV, set up a citizen TV channel, which streams amateur programmes and funds documentaries, 10 years ago. The charity provides free film training for anyone who walks through the door.
Marisa Pereira, a volunteer production coordinator at the charity, said: “Our charity is one of a kind, not only in London but across the country. We make it clear that we don’t select our volunteers, they select us. Anyone who is keen to learn all about film can join our project at any time.”
She added: “What we do is unique. We put our necks on the line. We provide an alternative side to mainstream media and we challenge the status quo, we will say what we think.”
The organisation relies on donations and funds to keep the project going. Their women’s success film was funded by the Heritage Lottery. The film was created in the Hackney-based film studio on Millfields Road. Ceri Dingle interviewed a range of women, different ages, religions and cultures, about their life experiences.
Ms. Pereira said: “We do find it quite hard to get funding but we have a range of ways that we accumulate money. We have loyal supporters, many ex-students return to us to teach or to support us financially. We also have partnerships with Bloomberg TV – who also provide master classes for our students – and recently Arsenal Football Foundation.”
People who trained with the scheme have gone on to be stars of the film industry. Former student Stephanie Okupniak is a producer at Sky News.
The screening will be on the 8 March at 7.30 and will cost £2.50-£5.
