WHAT IT TAKES TO BE EXTRAORDINARY
2016 | 52 min | CANADA
Directed by Antonia Thomson
Australian Premiere
GENERATION HOPE
2016 | 34 min | Haiti, UK, USA
Directed by Charles Kinnane
Australian Premiere
Presented by:
Nestled in the Kathmandu valley, the Nepal Orphan’s Home is a very special place where children are free for the first time.
Filmed over the course of seven years, What It Takes To Be Extraordinary shares the story of one inspirational man – Nepal Orphans Home founder Michael Hess – who is selflessly dedicating his life to educate, empower and care for impoverished children throughout Nepal.
Nepal is a difficult place to be a child. The people of Nepal have endured decades of political instability and thousands of children are displaced and living in desperate situations. There are children sold into child slavery as young as six years of age, while many others are neglected, abandoned or orphaned.
But with freedom and a chance to feel safe and dream, leaders are born. The film recounts both the personal stories of the children raised in the orphanage and follows Michael’s life-changing journey since taking his first trip outside the US to Nepal.
What it Takes to be Extraordinary is the second in a series of films that feature extraordinary people who are dedicating their lives in helping children around the world, and making a significant impact.
AWARDS:
Best Foreign Documentary award – La Femme Festival in Los Angeles 2016
GENERATION HOPE
A heart-warming film about the impact a daily meal at school can have for children growing up in some of the poorest communities across the world.
Filmed on location in Malawi, Haiti, and India, Generation Hope focuses our attention on Mary’s Meals – a project that has benefitted a group of young people known as ‘Generation Hope’. Thanks to the support of the Mary’s Meals organisation, many of these youths have gone on to further education or paid employment.
Winner of Awards for Excellence at both the IndieFEST Film Awards and the Best Shorts Competition in La Jolla, USA, Kinnane’s stunningly shot documentary has also been selected for a number of festivals such as the Festival de Cannes and Palm Springs International Film Festival.