Stephanie Linus Daily

Tag: Ford Foundation

  • Stephanie Linus’ Extended Hands Foundation With Support From Ford Foundation Takes SGBV Awareness To Local Schools & Communities

    Raising more awareness  in our communities  is critical to the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The Extended Hands Foundation with support from Ford Foundation  has recently taken its activism to local schools and communities in Lagos state.

    The community outreach took place in Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA and Shogunle LCDA of Lagos State while the school outreach took place at Greensprings Schools, Lagos  in March and many more to come. Following the events in the schools and communities, advocates were appointed and trained to follow up as watchguards within their communities. They will be responsible for spreading awareness and ensuring people get help when they need it.

    To effectively educate the target audience, the foundation developed awareness-raising materials, including a series of short films and brochures on SGBV. participants were addressed by experts from the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency  (DSVA) from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice with the emergency number to call for HELP- 08000333333.

    Actress, director, and UNFPA Ambassador Stephanie Linus, who is also the founder of Extended Hands Foundation was present at these events. She noted that awareness raising is key to spreading a clear message of zero tolerance of all forms of violence within our communities.  “With a rise of domestic violence cases around us, there is urgent need for engaging local communities to address the root causes of SGBV to bring effective behavior and social norms change. We also need to sensitize the younger population, to educate them and tell them consequences of violence. People need to know what to do if they or someone they know are caught in this unfortunate situation.”

    The Extended Hands Foundation is committed to providing accessible information about what gender-based violence is, its different forms, possible remedies, and existing support measures. Our goal is to initiate relevant discussions about the root causes of sexual and gender based-violence and ensure people know how to prevent it.

    Watch the video of the schools and community awareness tour here:

  • DRY, Fistula, Child Marriage & Inequality | My Twitter Conversation With Ford Foundation

    Hi SL Fabz!

    Today, I had an interesting Twitter conversation with Ford Foundation on DRY and several issues the movie highlighted such as child marriage, inequality and Fistula.

    Believe me, it was a very thorough one where questions were asked about the impact of the movie, the power of film making, the true stories that impacted the script for DRY and much more.

    Here are some excerpts from the convo:


    There is still so much more you have to read. Visit my twitter page HERE and the Ford Foundation twitter page HERE for more.

  • DRY Will Be Showing In Nigerian Cinemas Nationwide from August 14th!

    After a successful screening debut in Wales, UK, the critically acclaimed movie ‘DRY’ will premiere nationwide in Nigeria beginning August 14th, 2015.

    Produced, directed, and starring my humble self, the film is an inspired true story that follows a trail of Zara’s (played by me) trip to Africa, her constant turmoil as a result of inexplicable horrors from her child hood, her experiences and heartaches while working with young girls suffering from complications from early child birth as child brides, against the backdrop of a rich African culture. It is full of intrigue, suspense, unbelievable surprises, the joy of reconciliation and the power of the human spirit that is guaranteed to captivate and engage moviegoers.

    The film stars: Darwin Shaw as Dr. Alex, the legendary Liz Benson Ameye as the Matron, Bill McNamara as Dr. Brown, and Introducing Zubaida Ibrahim Fagge as Halima the teenager who had to endure a life not designed for a child: to be married to a man who was more than four times her age. Produced by Next Page Productions, this film was supported by the Office of the special adviser to the president on MDGs Nigeria, Aberystwyth University Wales, Diamond Bank, Ford Foundation, Project Act Nollywood, USAID Acquired fistula, Vlisco and more.

    Also starring in the film are Olu Jacobs, Tijjani Faraga, Hauwa Maina, Rahama Hassan, Rekiya Attah, Hakeem Hassan and Afamefuna Klint Igwemba (aka Klint da drunk). The production’s creative team includes director of photography, Angel Barroeta, executive producer, Linus Idahosa, co-produced by Jane Lawalata with Akanimo Odon and Murtza Ali Ghaznavi as line producers and Chinedu Omorie as first assistant.

    “Dry journeys into heart-wrenching details of a culture not too many films dare to explore. The issue might seem controversial, but if it will set one girl free and open the minds of the people, and encourage us all to take action, then the movie would have served its purpose.” – Stephanie Linus, Writer, Director & Producer.

    So SL Fabz, save the date. From Friday August 14th 2015, you can head over to the Cinema near you and watch DRY!

    xoxo

    SL

  • Photos From The Private Screening of My Movie ‘DRY’ in the UK

    The private screening of my movie “Dry” took place recently at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Wales, UK where part of the film was shot. With over 150 guests in attendance, movie enthusiasts and critics from the UK and beyond who attended the event had nothing but words of commendation and praise for DRY which received a resounding 10-minute-standing ovation from the entire audience.

    “This film is an opportunity to create an awareness. It is a privilege to be on the project”- Liz (Benson) Ameye

    With moving, heart-wrenching scenes accompanied by the serious, and often-controversial social matters addressed, many were moved to tears. The special advisor to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) Dr. Precious Gbeneol, who was in attendance, gave an engaging speech on the effect and importance of the film in terms of social good for not only West Africa, but for the continent as a whole. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Aberystwyth Prof. April McMahon gave special acknowledgment of the importance of building bridges and connections with Africa and the world to bring these stories to life.

     “The warm reception at Aberystwyth from the guests at this screening was overwhelming. Listening to people discuss the real issue that the film was based on was truly liberating. This is more than just a film. It is a movement to change the lives of many young women who suffer from VVF”– Director, Producer, Writer Stephanie Linus

    The film stars: Darwin Shaw as Dr. Alex, the legendary Liz Benson Ameye as the Matron, Bill McNamara as Dr. Brown, and introducing Zubaidat Ibrahim Fagge as Halima the teenager who had to endure a life not designed for a child: to be married to a man who was more than four times her age. The production of this film was supported by the Office of the SA to the President on MDGs Nigeria, Aberystwyth University Wales, Diamond Woman, Ford Foundation and many more.

    The movie trailer for DRY can be watched through this link– bit.ly/drytrailer. The film will premier in Nigeria and across Africa in the Spring of 2015.

    Also starring in the film are Olu Jacobs, Tijjani Faraga, Hauwa Maina, Rahama Hassan, Rekiya Attah, Hakeem Hassan and Afamefuna Klint Igwemba (aka Klint da drunk) and many Art students of Aberystwyth. The production’s creative team includes director of photography, Angel Barroeta, executive producer, Linus Idahosa, co-produced by Jane Lawalata with Akanimo Odon and Murtza Ali Ghaznavi as line producers and Chinedu Omorie as first assistant.

    Movie goers can follow the film on the official movie site at www.themoviedry.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/themoviedry or on Twitter with the handle @themovieDry

    Thank you SL Fabz for all your support! Here are some photos from the premiere.

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