THIS Refugee Week members of the Ballarat Afghan Action Group are hosting their first public fundraiser.
BAAG is screening a film about an Afghan refugee family tilted Journey Beyond Fear at the Regent Cinemas on Sunday 25 June at 2.15pm to raise funds and awareness for their aid work and advocacy.
As part of the event a question and answer session with the film’s writer and director Robyn Hughan and co-producer Steven Warne is set to be led by ABC Ballarat’s Prue Bentley.
“Ballarat Afghan Action Group sprung into life when the Taliban’s reign of terror returned to Afghanistan in August 2021,” co-chair David Mac Phail said.
“Since then, the group has provided food aid and teachers to Afghanistan to the value of about $40,000, all from within the Ballarat support network.
“Ballarat Afghan Action Group invites film goers to take part in this event to experience Journey Beyond Fear, join the Q and A with Prue Bentley, and learn about the work of Ballarat Afghan Action Group.”
Journey Beyond Fear follows a teenage girl and her Afghan family who are aiming to be resettled in Australia but are in limbo in Malaysia.
It was filmed over seven years between the two countries and offers insight into the systemic challenges faced by people seeking asylum.
It has been described by leading Australian film critic David Stratton as a “genuinely moving experience” full of courage and patience.
Raffles and an introduction to the event by BAAG co-chair Yaqoob Kazan will begin the afternoon at 1.45pm, before the movie begins at 2.15pm, followed by the Q and A at 3.55pm.
Visit bit.ly/445isM7 for tickets.