Author: grandecharte

Dert BOOM in the official selection of DirectedByWomen

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Racines Aisbl is proud to announce the selection of the film, “Dert BOOM,” for the Directed By Women Film Festival (Turkey). Directed by Zakaria Rochdi and Rajae Hammadi. This striking documentary documents the resonant voices of Moroccan women as they rally together against patriarchy’s domination over their lives..

Through forum theatre workshops, these women dismantle societal norms, mock the absurdity of patriarchy while sharing their dreams and aspirations in favour of a more liberated future. Driven by a fervent desire for emancipation, their stories serve as a rallying cry against an insidious patriarchy.

“Dert BOOM” embodies the spirit of emancipation and collective action of Moroccan women. Stay tuned to follow the latest news on the film.

NAAS Vacancy Announcement : Programs Manager

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Deadline to apply: August 31, 2023

The Network of Arab Alternative Screens has been active since 2007 and counts 23 members in 10 Arab countries with an executive office in Berlin, Germany. NAAS champions long-term collaboration and solidarity among a growing constellation of initiatives and spaces that maintain community around film. With a belief in the urgency of alternative narratives and the experience of watching film collectively, NAAS provides opportunities and resources for the cinema sector to cultivate critical thinking and dialogue among audiences across the Arabic-speaking region.

NAAS – Network of Arab Alternative Screens e.V. is seeking an experienced Programs Manager starting October 2023.

NAAS is seeking an experienced Programs Manager starting October 2023. The Programs Manager will work closely with the team in Berlin and NAAS’s regional member organizations and will report to the Executive Director.

The successful candidate should be familiar with the film and creative industries landscape with a focus on the NAAS geographies, and up to date with important shifts in the cinema scene, ranging from the industry trends and discourse to the alternative practices. The new Programs Manager will conceptualize and develop network-wide engaging and thought-provoking programs in NAAS regions and Europe in close collaboration with a diverse range of members and peer organizations.

 This position will require a valid work permit in Germany as well as the ability to travel regularly and represent the network in regional meetings and events.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive programming strategy that aligns with NAAS’s mission and goals.

  • Engage regularly with the members and coordinate with the relevant subcommittees to ensure that the programmatic strategy aligns within the network.

  • Manage and facilitate members committee meetings.

  • Oversee NAAS programs’ full management cycle, ensuring that all phases are consistent with the design and delivery schedule.

  • Steer and maintain the network’s internal and external relationships to enhance program impact and support NAAS outreach activities.

  • Manage and coordinate the development, publication and dissemination of programs-related material in close collaboration with Communications manager and external collaborators.

  • Steer and maintain funders and partners engagement linked to the programs.

Essential Qualifications

  • 3 to 5 years of experience preferably in the field of alternative cinema with demonstrable success in multi-project management.

  • Experienced in transnational multi-organizational work across different political and cultural contexts.

  • Excellent analytical and strategic design skills, creativity in developing and leading actions.

  • Ability to facilitate multi-level network engagement.

  • Strong communication skills in Arabic and English, both written and oral.

  • Strong interpersonal skills to engage and collaborate with a range of stakeholders.

  • Familiar with the fundraising landscape and proposal writing.

The offer

  • Full time position (40hrs/week) in a flexible working environment.

  • One year contract with the possibility of extension.

  • Salary commensurate with professional experience.

  • Small-size international team based in Schöneberg.

  • Professional training and development opportunities.

  • Employment contract including social security according to German law.

  • 30 days of annual holidays.

Application Procedure

Candidates with a Google account must apply here.

Candidates who do not have a Google account must send the following required material to [email protected] in one email, stating in the subject line: FIRST NAME LAST NAME, PROGRAMS MANAGER:

  • a cover letter of one page maximum.

In your letter, please explain why you are applying for the position, what required qualifications you meet and how they would support you in developing and advancing NAAS’s objectives and your role. If you don’t meet all required qualifications and would still like to apply, please mention other qualifications you may bring and how these can support your role in NAAS.

  • a CV, two pages maximum, with contact details (email, phone);

  • names and email addresses of three references.

Please note that we will only consider applications that include all the required documents.

The application deadline is August 31, 2023. If we consider your application to be suitable, we will get back to you as soon as possible with an invitation to the first round of interviews.

Workshop – Arts-based participatory methods in migration research – Munich, Germany

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Prof. Mariangela Palladino (Keele University – United Kingdom) and Rajaa Essaghyry (Racines aisbl- Morocco) were invited by the Institute of Sociology at the The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Germany) to deliver a talk on Arts-based participatory methods in the context of migration research.

The workshop brought together community- and university-based researchers to exchange experiences, learn about each other’s projects and engage in discussions about methodological aspects and developments focusing on arts-based participatory methods.

During the workshop, Mariangela Palladino and Rajaa Essaghyry outlined the migration and forced displacement landscapes within the Maghreb, particularly in Morocco. They then shared MADAR’ s approach to research in migration and displacement and how arts-based methodologies are deployed in MADAR’s work (e.g. Boza! in Morocco) and previous projects (‘Arts for Advocacy’). The presentation also included a discussion on the challenges encountered along the way and lessons learned. The workshop ended with a Q&A session with the audience.  

The event took place in Munich (at “Eine-Welt-Haus”), on July 6 and 7, 2023. It was organised by: LMU Institute of Sociology (Prof. Hella von Unger) in cooperation with Dr. Annette Korntheuer (Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt) and Dr. Matthias Otten (University of Applied Sciences). 

 

 

“Témoigner Pour Agir” – Stories of Migration

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The realities of migration are far from being simple, and understanding them is essential if we are to avoid judgement and stigmatisation of people who, at some point in their lives, take this initiative, which is not without risk. The experience of migration is littered with obstacles and complications that, over time, turn it into an existential ordeal. “Témoigner Pour Agir” is a collection of authentic testimonies in which different voices are heard.  These voices, as diverse and multiple as they are, tell us about these realities and shed light on these life stories. The aims of the platform are to: 

  • Connect people to the human stories of migration; 
  • Understand what words like “integration”, “protection” and ” welcoming” really mean; 
  • Raise awareness of pressing issues related to migration and forced displacement while seeking to inform and shape policy at national and international levels.


We see testimony as a powerful advocacy tool, adopting the philosophy of French activist Franck Lepage: “The only effective way to campaign is to start from what you have experienced, to talk about yourself“. 


This “Témoigner pour Agir” campaign was conceived as part of the MADAR (Maghreb Action on Displacement and Rights) Network Plus project, which aims to improve the humanitarian protection of vulnerable displaced people in the Greater Maghreb.


Whether you have been or are in a migration situation, a friend or host of a migrant, a community leader, a member of civil society, an artist or even if you just want to share an experience, your testimonies are essential. Together, they build a collective advocacy to better defend and improve the rights of displaced people and to change mentalities. We invite you to join the movement and record your testimony.

  • Target audience: Migrants, local population, artists, representatives of civil society organisations, community leaders, political decision-makers, etc.
  • Testimonial format: Video, audio, text, image, illustration, etc.
  • Subjects: Free (Racism, access to public services, life in society, love stories, work, friendships, actions, commitments, …) 

 

Useful links:

https://youtu.be/W-nUuhwPorA



Season 2 – NACHRA TV

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The satirical web show that uses fiction  to provide a fresh perspective on Moroccan politics, art, and public figures. Through imaginary  interviews, Nachra TV humorously challenges conventional narratives, inviting viewers to contemplate the underlying truths.

You can now  watch NACHRA TV’s second season and join us on an entertaining and thought-provoking journey as we engage with Moroccan politicians, artists, influencers, and more. 

With wit and absurdity, Nachra TV pushes boundaries, offering a unique lens to understand the issues that matter.Watch all the episodes on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@NachraTV, and follow our channel and social media for the unfolding of season 3, soon!

BOZA! selection in the SWIFF

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We are pleased to announce that our documentary film, BOZA! , has been selected to be showcased at the Student World Impact Film Festival (SWIFF). This recognition highlights the film’s significant impact and its ability to shed light on the complex issues surrounding migration and human rights.

BOZA! is a 26-minute documentary that follows the journey of Barnes, Joel, and Abdou, three individuals who embark on a quest for a better life, leaving their respective countries behind. Throughout their arduous journey to the European “Eldorado,” they encounter unforeseen challenges that test their resilience and hope. The film delves into the various aspects of the migratory adventure, portraying the emotions of fear, rejection, hope, and resilience that are intrinsic to such journeys.

The selection of BOZA! for the Student World Impact Film Festival underscores the film’s ability to captivate audiences and initiate crucial conversations. By sharing the personal stories of these individuals, the documentary aims to foster empathy and understanding while raising awareness about the realities faced by migrants worldwide.



Racines Carrées : Launch of the first training in the incubation phase

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The first phase of the Racines Carrées incubator programme, the Pre-Test phase, came to an end when the project holders presented their projects to the members of the jury. The jury members had the difficult task of selecting 12 of the 23 projects in front of an audience of incubated projects, who were all ears, with their determination and eagerness to learn and improve their projects. 

The second phase of the programme kicked off on 12 June, with the first group training session, led by Soumia Idba, on administrative management and an introduction to financial management. 

The programme for this phase includes the continuation of the series of group training sessions, mentoring sessions, immersion courses for the incubatees, and popular education workshops run by them for the benefit of marginalised groups. At the end of the programme, a festival-market will provide an opportunity for the incubated projects to present their work to a wider audience, including investors, sponsors, financial backers and so on.



Press release – 9 may 2023

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After more than four years of absence, Racines’ team is pleased to announce the continuity of the spirit and work of the former Racines in a new structure, based in Brussels.

The new Racines was born, in fact, the same year Racines Morocco was dissolved, in 2019. It is now an international non-profit association, according to the Belgian legal formula.

It was necessary to work for a while to restructure in silence. Having appealed to the Court of Cassation, just after the judgment of the Casablanca Court of Appeal confirming the dissolution, any communication would have been misunderstood before the end of the judicial episode.

Everything is still fragile. But isn’t that enough of an impetus to not give up?

Racines Belgium is joining forces with several Moroccan structures to continue the work, differently.

We have been waiting for this press conference to thank all those who have supported us and to communicate on what we are doing and what we intend to do.

So welcome to friends, to those who have stayed and to those who have left. It is life.

We look forward to seeing you again, to giving you more explanations, documents and answering your questions.

The work continues.

Culture is the solution.

Racines organizes a Guerilla Filmmaking workshop – Theory and techniques of mobile-phone documentaries

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Context

In some countries, the process of getting shooting permits through standard circuits has become extremely difficult, particularly when it comes to films denouncing matters that are controversial for governments. One of these issues is migration. It is within this context that Racines aisbl organized a workshop on “Theory and techniques of mobile-phone documentaries” destined to activists operating in the field of migration and forced displacement across the Maghreb region. Its primary objective is to enable them to direct short films (professionally and with limited resources) capable of being globally disseminated and to become powerful instruments of advocacy. 

Documentary cinema means not only the “filmed reality” but above all “a reality filtered by the author’s visual sensibility”, it is a way of story-telling and expressing ourselves, and a mobile phone is the most direct, intimate and urgent tool we can use.

The workshop aims through theoretical, linguistic and practical meetings to illustrate the steps necessary to produce a documentary that can offer an insight to a story, a situation, a moment, or a personal diary, with the use of cell phones and apps, with particular attention to the production, conceptual and writing phases but also to the shooting and editing moment. 

The training session consists of two full days, it is presented as follows: 

Script: introduction to the Guerrilla Filmmaking concept, from the conceiving of a subject, a treatment, to film’s narratives, with a big focus on ethics, sources checking, already existing footage and the “video language” to choose. 

Shoot:  participants got an overview of various shooting techniques, including lighting, framing, ratio, sound, …  using a smartphone. 

Edit: the second module covered the essentials of editing, bringing the participants to easy to use softwares and applications (adding titles / texts / figures, tricks, color correction, audio effects if necessary, ..). Practical exercises were also part of the agenda.

The workshop was facilitated by Francesco Clerici (Italy) and Manuele Sangalli (Italy)

The workshop was organized as part of the MADAR Network. MADAR (Maghreb Action on Displacement and Rights) is a research – action project that aims to improve the humanitarian protection of vulnerable, displaced people in contexts of conflict in the Maghreb region of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.



MADAR Regional Meeting in Casablanca

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The MADAR (Maghreb Action on Displacements and Rights) network partners had their second in person meeting in Casablanca, from May 29 to June 2, 2023

The event was a chance for the partners to meet up, exchange ideas and work, research findings and the challenges encountered in their specific contexts. Grant-holders also had the platform to present their future projects. Over the course of these days, network members were able to discuss the future of the network, future actions and dissemination options. 

The host organization (Racines aisbl) put together a two-day training course in Theory and Techniques of Documentary Filmmaking with a Mobile Phone, facilitated by two Italian directors Francesco Clerici and Manuele Sangalli. 

Stay in touch for more information on upcoming MADAR and member activities.