Master's Project: The Humanitarians of Lesvos

Hello everyone,

 

Since January 2021, more than 71,000 refugees and migrants have made the life-threatening journey to Europe by sea.  

 

Since 2014, 12M refugees and migrants most often seeking refuge from war, conflict, and violence have landed on Greek shores hoping to find a place where human rights and dignity were assured (UNCHR: Operations Data Portal, 2021). The reception centers on the ground that were built to welcome them quickly became synonymous with poorly-managed-prison-camps. 

 

It has now been made evident that the EU-funded FRONTEX organisation has been torturing, and illegally pushing back migrants to Turkey. Despite this, the EU has invested over 503.9M Euros in FRONTEX in 2021, the highest contribution yet, and a vast difference to its 142M Euro fund in 2015 at the peak of refugee arrivals to Europe by sea (FRONTEX, 2021).

 

Greek authorities are "using criminal investigations to harass and intimidate groups that investigate abuses against migrants at Greece's borders" (Human Rights Watch: Cosé, 2021). Humanitarians are accused of being human traffickers, spies, and more, and as political tensions rise and fall on these islands so does the violence against humanitarian and NGO workers. Their work is very hard and emotionally taxing, their hours long and their pay low yet their passion and determination to do what is right and fight for everyone's human rights are endless. 

 

Article 14(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted in 1948 clearly states and guarantees the right to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries. 

 

My name is Sibylle Aries and in 2019 I volunteered in Lesvos, Greece with an organisation called Lighthouse Relief on the north shore of the island where we assisted migrants coming from Turkey. The three years of my International Development degree did not even come close to preparing me for the humanitarian sector, and the horrors I experienced there. 

 

Though I felt demoralised by the situation on the ground and intimidated by the task at hand, the humanitarians and volunteers around me gave me so much hope and faith. They had come from all over the world, from different backgrounds, ages, and careers, and had united under one common ideology; that all humans are equal and deserve to have their rights respected and protected especially those of refugees and vulnerable displaced people.

 

I am heading back to Lesvos end of October 2021 this time to make a documentary for my Master's Project and I need your help!

 

I want to shine a light on the humanitarians and volunteers who have been working tirelessly at the forefront of the European Refugee Crisis since 2015 with little to no recognition and financing by making a short documentary entirely about their experiences to be uploaded to YouTube & Vimeo.

 

 

Join me and my MetfFilm Production team as we go behind the scenes of the humanitarian sector, meet real-life heroes, and hear their life-changing stories.

 

We seek to support NGOs and Grassroots organisations whilst there, by providing them with deliverables such as interviews, photographs, and social media content. Services that are far from a priority to the majority of these organisations whose fundings go directly to response operations.

 

We strive to inform our audience of the shortcomings of the European Union's management of migration in the Aegean region. We also hope to create a short documentary that will make a difference by informing the world about the humanitarian sector. What it's like to work for or in collaboration with Europe's largest Refugee Camp, what it's like to have your career directly impacted by the EU's laws and regulations, the geopolitical climate of the region, and much more. 

 

MEET THE TEAM:

 

Sibylle Aries (MA Directing) Director/Producer

 

Iris Michaelopulou (MA Producing) Production Manager

 

Lukas Galantay (MA Cinematography) the Director of Photography

 

Reiko Nagayoshi (MA Cinematography) 1st Assistant Camera

 

Leon Leenders (MA Directing) Boom Operator and Sound Mixer

 

Emiliano Lopez (MA Postproduction) Editor

 

Munashe Majuru (BSc Music Industry) Music Composer

 

 

 

 

 

COSTS: 

The money we raise will be entirely used to cover production costs from pre through to post. The main cost will be the production - as we are a volunteer crew, the production will be covering costs of transport, food, and accommodation while on the ground as well as insurance and kit rental. We promise complete transparency and open communication with our donors as well as behind-the-scenes footage following the documentary unfold whilst on the ground through our Instagram channel: @sariesfilm

 

We will be eternally grateful for any contribution that you can provide!

 

Thank you,

Sibylle Aries

Documentary Filmmaker