Cate Blanchett, Cynthia Erivo, ‘For Sama’ and ‘Flee’ Directors Join Selection Committee of New Refugee-Focused Film Fund

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Actress Cate Blanchett, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Hubert Bals Fund of the International Film Festival Rotterdam have introduced a grant program named the Displacement Film Fund, which aims to support short films that focus on refugee experiences.

The fund, during its initial phase, plans to award up to five production grants totaling €100,000 ($104,200) each, to support and finance the projects of filmmakers who have been displaced or have a history of creating authentic narratives about the lives of displaced individuals.

The committee overseeing the fund will be headed by Cate Blanchett. Joining her are actor and musician Cynthia Erivo, a nominee for both “Wicked” and “Harriet” at the Oscars; Waad Al-Kateab, an Oscar-nominated director of “For Sama”; Agnieszka Holland, an Oscar-nominated director with “Europa Europa” to her credit; Vanja Kaludjerci, who serves as the festival director at IFFR; Aisha Khurram, a refugee activist and educator; Jonas Poher Rasmussen, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind “Flee”; and Amin Nawabi, also known for being the inspiration behind the story of “Flee” as an LGBTQ+ asylum seeker.

Blanchett expressed: “Movies can immerse you in the fabric and truths of someone’s life more profoundly than any other art form. Through my work with UNHCR, I’ve dealt with the massive consequences and staggering numbers associated with forced displacement, a problem faced by countless individuals worldwide. However, I’ve also been privileged to encounter these affected people personally, listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences.

I’m moved to express that the core mission fueling Displacement Film Fund lies in fostering personal, heartfelt connections. In times when individuals are uprooted from their homes, they face a loss of essential resources, but as artists, they also lose the means to create art at a time when it’s never been more crucial. I’m deeply appreciative of the Hubert Bals Fund and the inspiring group of gifted professionals who have united with us in this endeavor, filling that critical gap.

A film industry-supported fund, comprising professionals, artists, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists, is set to debut on February 1st at IFFR during a panel discussion featuring Cate Blanchett, Koji Yanai (a Uniqlo executive and “Perfect Days” producer), Waad Al-Kateab, Mads Brügger, and Tamara Tatishvili (HBF’s head). This event will be moderated by Uzma Hasan. The panel aims to delve into the inception and goals of this program.

This fund aims to match HBF’s commitment to amplifying lesser-heard perspectives, particularly filmmakers hailing from nations with limited filming resources or stringent filming conditions. Our hope is that this initial project will evolve into an ongoing program over time.

The fund was launched during the UNHCR’s Global Refugee Forum, which is known as the world’s biggest event focusing on solving issues faced by refugees and the communities that host them.

At the event, Cate Blanchett collaborated with Ke Huy Quan, Echo Quan, Ayman Tamer, Yanai, and Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, fellow supporters of UNHCR. The aim was to expand and refine the concept to strengthen the impact of the fund. To achieve this, Blanchett brought in a larger network of film industry professionals and artists, each with a passion for or personal experience related to the topic of forced displacement.

The selection process for the pilot fund involves two stages. First, a group of potential filmmakers will be chosen based on nominations made by a committee. Then, the final recipients will be decided upon by another committee, with the chosen filmmakers being announced during this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Once completed, these projects will have their world premieres at IFFR the following year.

Yanai, who serves on the board of directors for Uniqlo’s parent company, Fast Retailing Group, expressed gratitude for how a serendipitous meeting with Cate, Quan, and other refugee advocates during the Global Refugee Forum has led to an idea that is now blossoming into reality. This transformation is due to the ingenuity, dedication, and cooperation of such a multifaceted team of collaborators.

In my positions at Uniqlo and as a film producer, I am deeply passionate about the power of films to influence attitudes and bring about positive social changes. Just as Uniqlo’s corporate mission is to challenge conventions, transform perspectives, and ultimately make a difference in the world, I am convinced that this new fund has the potential to reshape possibilities for displaced filmmakers and, in doing so, raise awareness and foster empathy towards refugees.

As someone who has navigated the trials of displacement and witnessed the extraordinary impact of storytelling firsthand, I feel incredibly humbled to be involved in this remarkable initiative. This venture not only offers a platform for underserved narratives but also serves as a crucial milestone in enabling filmmakers to express their tales of resilience, identity, and optimism. I am convinced that this journey can foster profound links between diverse communities and spark significant change, and I take great pride in helping uphold fairness and transparency in selecting these extraordinary talents.

Clare Stewart, IFFR’s managing director, along with Tatishvili, expressed their heartfelt pride: “For three decades, our HBF framework has provided a solid foundation for filmmakers worldwide to create revolutionary works under difficult circumstances. We are honored to be chosen as the management partner for this crucial fund. The passion of the Displacement Film Fund’s founders is truly inspiring. We share their vision that films can effectively express the experiences faced by a significant portion of the global population who have been displaced. We stand side by side with them in their mission to offer essential support to displaced filmmakers and bring attention to stories about displacement.

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2025-01-28 17:17