Dear Friend,

As a journalist, educator and documentary filmmaker, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of war, poverty, hatred and hunger. My deep interest in humanitarian issues has led me to create the annual international documentary United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF). Unlike other film festivals, which focus on one theme, one part of the world or one ethnic group, UNAFF is striving to provide a cross-section of the world by illuminating numerous issues from various countries, bound together by the common thread of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Last year the festival screened thirty-two films dealing with topics from Afghanistan, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cuba, France, Haiti, Kenya, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lesotho, Macedonia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Peru, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Spain, Sudan, Uganda, the UK, Ukraine, the US, Vietnam and Zambia. By bringing together filmmakers, the academic community and the general public, UNAFF offers a unique opportunity for creative exchange and education among groups and individuals often separated by geography, ethnicity and economic constraints. Here are some of the comments about UNAFF:

“Previewing these documentaries has been the highlight of my new Stanford career thus far. I found myself looking into the eyes of Brian Steidle, the man who proved the Darfur atrocities to the world in the documentary The Devil Came on Horseback. I saw villages go up in smoke and heard the cries of people within. I looked into the eyes of Dominic, Rose and Nancy, three children from the war zone in Northern Uganda, ex-child soldier and orphans in the film War/Dance.  I watched Holy Warriors, the struggle of six Russian ex-soldiers as they become priests, mothers and civilians again. I can testify to the life-changing power of these documentaries—you will meet eyes you cannot forget, eyes that will show you truth and reveal to you your own humanity” – Karmia Cao, Intermission

“Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to be associated with the film festival. It was a wonderful success and I would echo the comments by others that it provided us with opportunities to be in places we have never been or will ever be; to listen in on conversations we may have never had an opportunity to listen to; to witness human interactions whose implications for fairness, equity and justice were unfathomable; to understand the world and issues from perspectives that may have been alien to us; to reaffirm our beliefs and convictions about gender equity, national self-determination, peace, etc. and of course the opportunity to dialogue with the film/documentary makers.” - Meda O. Okelo, Community Services Department, East Palo Alto

We receive submissions from talented filmmakers from all over the world, who send us their views on problems and issues in their countries and communities. We have succeeded in screening 300 films and obtaining some of the most awarded and talked about documentaries in the industry, including three that went on to win Academy Awards (“Panama Deception,” “Thoth” and “The Blood of Yingzhou District”) and ten others that were nominated (“Regret to Inform,” “Genghis Blues,” “Long Night’s Journey Into Day,” “LaLee’s Kin: The Legacy of Cotton,” “Promises,” “Daughter from Danang,” “When Abortion was Illegal,” “Twist of Faith,” “God Sleeps in Rwanda” and “War/Dance”).

Encouraged by overwhelming positive response from the audience and the media, we established a Traveling Film Festival which has taken place in San Francisco, Berkeley, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Davis, Saratoga, Sonoma, Sebastopol, San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Honolulu, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, Burlington at University of Vermont, New Hampshire, Bellevue, Durham at Duke University, New Haven at Yale University, Waukesha at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, Boston and Cambridge at Harvard University and internationally in Paris, Venice and Belgrade.

Also, our relentless efforts in promoting awareness of global issues were rewarded at the annual UNA-USA Convention in New York, where UNAFF received the prestigious Earl W. Eames Award for innovatively combining new technologies with traditional media. As an acknowledgement of our 10th Anniversary, UNAFF received last year a Proclamation from the Mayor of Palo Alto, Yorioko Kishimoto and the “Community Treasure Award” from Stanford University President, John Hennessy for our contributions to the community in promoting dialogue and education about different cultures and issues.

In its first decade of existence UNAFF has earned a number of accolades and achievements. What we are proudest of is the growing community we have nurtured by exploring difficult issues such as human rights, hunger, conflict and peace through the powerful medium of film. In order to continue our legacy of presenting quality films and giving voice to people, issues, and places that are not always presented through other media, we need your help.  We are doing our best to implement essential changes to the UNAFF organization: from being an all-volunteer program to one with a small paid staff working from a more strategic level that will enable us to maintain our current programs at their high level of quality, and give us the stability we need to expand to meet our community’s needs. Although we support the goals of the UN and the United Nations Association, we do not receive access to their funds, thus your contribution is critical for our future. UNAFF does not have a membership fee. Your participation is the most important source of aid in helping UNAFF fulfill its mission throughout the year. 

By making a tax-deductible donation to the UNA Film Festival you will directly give a chance to tens of thousands of people to see these important documentaries that bring us together as a diverse community. Please send your gift (check payable to UNAFF) to:

UNAFF  
P.O. Box 19369
Stanford, CA 94309

All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law for 501(c) 3 organizations

Your support at this critical juncture can make a significant difference in the United Nations Association Film Festival’s continued survival. If you are able to provide a donation or recommend us to someone appropriate who may wish to help, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. It is my dream that this festival will continue to grow and touch the lives of many thousands of people. I thank you in advance for your consideration in this critical time. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.unaff.org or call us at (650) 725-0012.

With warmest regards,

Jasmina Bojic, Founder and Executive Director
UNAFF/UNAFF Traveling Film Festival