Film Screening
Special Film Screening at the 6th Global Conference on Women's Studies!
Abeer Zeibak Haddad is a senior lecturer at Beit Berl Academic College and a filmmaker, director, producer, and actor. Born in Nazareth and currently residing in Jaffa, Abeer has made significant contributions to the field of documentary filmmaking. In 2011, Abeer produced and directed her first documentary, “Duma,” which is the first documentary film ever made about the sexual abuse of women in Arab and Palestinian society. This groundbreaking film received the Best Television and Video Professional Production Award at Urban TV 2012 in Madrid.
We were delighted to once again welcome attendees to the 6th WOMENSCONF, where a special presentation and film screening featured the thought-provoking documentary, DUMA. The screening took place at the Conference Venue and provided a platform for impactful discussions and reflections on the issues facing women in today's society.
About Movie
DUMA, directed by the talented filmmaker Abeer Zeibak Hadad, delved into the stories of women’s sexual assault in Arab and Palestinian society. This groundbreaking documentary presented a raw and unflinching portrayal of the experiences of women who have faced sexual abuse, challenging the status quo and shedding light on the societal issues surrounding this sensitive topic.
What these families need is simple on the surface: child care and early education funds. Enough to allow parents to continue to work. Enough to keep families off the streets. Enough to give their children a chance at a productive, successful future. Providing these funds would benefit every citizen in every community – so why do people fight so hard to prevent it?CLARISSA’S BATTLE is about more than a movement. It’s about the tenacity of a woman who experienced the shock of financial insecurity after the birth of her son, and her determination to stop it from happening to anyone else. It’s about the struggle experienced by millions of families unseen and unspoken of by their communities. It is about what happens when a woman rises to grasp her power and says, “Enough.”
Critical Acclaim
Dr. Eylem Atakav of the Huffington Post described DUMA as “extremely powerful, brutally realistic, revealingly provocative, and exceedingly enthralling.” The film’s unapologetic approach to addressing the societal issues surrounding sexual assault offered a unique perspective that sparked meaningful discussions and reflections among the audience.
Furthermore, Dr. Raya Morag of Haaretz hailed DUMA as a groundbreaking documentary that encouraged Arab women who have been victims of sexual abuse to step forward and break the social taboo. Abeer Haddad’s work shed light on the experiences of these women and empowered them to speak out against the silence and stigma that often shrouded their stories.
Impact and Reflection
The screening of DUMA provided a testament to the strength and courage of women, sparking meaningful discussions and reflections on the important issues facing women in today’s society.
The film created a space for dialogue and understanding, and we were honored to have all the attendees be a part of this important event at the 6th WOMENSCONF.
Special Guest and movie screening at 4th Edition of Womensconf!
Tamara Perkins (Director | Producer | Writer) is an award-winning filmmaker focused on stories that inspire transformative change through dialogue, healing and advocacy through her company Apple of Discord Productions. Perkins' films Life After Life (2018), Rebound (2021), and Clarissa’s Battle (2022) were each inspired by a personal connection to the subject matter and provide an often overlooked proximity in storytelling. She was awarded the 2022 Stowe Story Fellowship for SARA — a feature-length speculative fiction script that melds present day social, moral, and ethical questions with a Queer Woman-driven SciFi thriller. As a speaker, Perkins’ repertoire spans filmmaking to prison reform and human rights. Her work has connected media, activism and healing through programs such as the Wisdom Project and San Quentin Media Project -- which trained justice impacted youth and system involved men in filmmaking as a tool for transformation.
About Movie
Single mother and activist Clarissa Doutherd is working tirelessly to build a powerful coalition. The coalition’s goal is to make local, state and national leaders understand a desperate need shared by families, parents and children across the country, from low-income to middle. It’s a need many families don’t have in the United States; but for those who do, it is crucial. Clarissa’s ambition is to make their voices heard loudly, plainly, and their desperation made clear.
What these families need is simple on the surface: child care and early education funds. Enough to allow parents to continue to work. Enough to keep families off the streets. Enough to give their children a chance at a productive, successful future. Providing these funds would benefit every citizen in every community – so why do people fight so hard to prevent it?CLARISSA’S BATTLE is about more than a movement. It’s about the tenacity of a woman who experienced the shock of financial insecurity after the birth of her son, and her determination to stop it from happening to anyone else. It’s about the struggle experienced by millions of families unseen and unspoken of by their communities. It is about what happens when a woman rises to grasp her power and says, “Enough.”
Cast
Clarissa Doutherd (Protagonist, Advisor) is the executive director of Parent Voices Oakland, a chapter of Parent Voices California. Clarissa has been a strong advocate for mothers like herself who were caught in the crosshairs of ineffective public policy. As a collaborative movement builder, Clarissa has forged deep partnerships with large local government agencies including the Alameda County Social Services Agency, Public Health, and Behavioral Health Services. After stepping into leadership as the co-chair on the Alameda County Early Childhood Policy Committee with First 5 of Alameda County, Clarissa led efforts to refocus the group to become a cross-sector collaborative, connecting community-based organizations, parents and service providers to advance innovative strategies for county-wide system change. As a leader and mentor, Clarissa works to elevate parent leadership in public policy.
Special Guest and movie screening at 3rd Edition of WOMENSCONF!
About Movie
SOLEDAD Documentary Screening Followed by a Q&A with Director, Lisa Molomot
SOLEDAD tells the story of a woman from Central America who fled gang violence and torture to seek asylum in the U.S., only to find herself imprisoned at the Eloy Detention Center. Soledad and a team of women join forces to win her asylum case.
Ms. Lisa Molomot
Documentary Filmmaker and Educator, USA