Nations United Film Centers

While still in his teenage years, Nations United creator Chaker Khazaal produced his first film And That’s How We Started, a documentary set in a war affected Palestinian refugee camp. His passion and talent for filmmaking was recognized by over fifty individuals in the international community who subsequently financed his University education with scholarship funds and awards.

Today Chaker and the Nations United team are dedicated to providing similar opportunities to others through the implementation of film workshops in communities around the globe that are without access to film training and equipment. Operated by the Artists Involved for Nations United Campaign, new film centres are being established in regions that demonstrate need for recreational programming and skill development. Nations United offers beneficiaries complimentary media equipment as well as human resources. Nations United instructors offer teach practical skills in areas such as project planning, camera operation, storyboarding, video editing, and interview techniques. The instructors train local trainers to replicate the curriculum so that lessons can continue to develop into the future.

Jeff Barry, the project manager for the Artists Involved for Nations United campaign, spent 3 months in 2010 establishing the first Nations United film centre in Beirut, Lebanon in partnership with local organizations Women’s Humanitarian Organization and IJMA3. Located next to the Bourj Al Barajne refugee camp, the film centre has a regular attendance of between 20 and 30 students. Jeff also trained the staff at Women’s Humanitarian Organization in photography and video camera basics, and provided similar training to the Girls! Girls! club located within the camp. Jeff anticipates his return visit to Beirut to reconnect with his students and monitor the progress of the film centre.

Nations United is proud to confirm a new film center initiative in the Honduras. This project is operated by a Canadian based group called the Video Solidarity Project. This talented team has managed several film workshops in the region since 2007.
Currently, all workshops are financed by Nations United fundraising events. Nations United is actively seeking private, corporate and government partnerships to further establish these essential programs.