The raw and vibrant documentary ‘Geeta’, made by Melbourne’s award-winning film director Emma Macey-Storch, has won the Social Justice Film award at the renowned 37th Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Geeta was one of six films in the festival’s Social Change category, as well as one of six Australian films in the festival which include Nitram, My Name is Gulpilil, The Seeds of Vandana Shiva, Ruby’s Choice and Paper City.
‘GEETA’ is a vibrant, raw film about a mother’s heartfelt attempt to change her daughter’s destiny after a brutal acid attack.
Geeta Mahor was asleep with her three young daughters when her husband, Inderjeet, crept into their room and maliciously threw acid on them. Geeta was badly injured, three-year-old NEETU ended up severely scarred and almost completely blind, and baby Krishna tragically passed away. And the reason Inderjeet gave for the attack was because Geeta was only giving birth to girls.
Fast-forward 28 years and Geeta and her daughter NEETU live their lives in the urban slums of Agra with gusto, hope and an uncompromising determination to create lasting societal change.
Geeta is about overcoming violence, the power of love, building dreams and the everyday heroism that creates grassroots change.
Emma Macey-Storch, Director, said: “This is important recognition for all women and girls, like Geeta and Neetu, who are out there in the world doing the long fight, over decades, to survive violence, find their voice and create change in their communities.”
She called on the global community to support Geeta and her daughter Neetu in their work with acid attack survivors at Sheroes Hangout in India and with young people through The Wake-Up Campaign, a new initiative a new initiative led by Neetu that seeks to mobilise young people to lead change.
Geeta is having a preview screening at the Astor Theatre, St Kilda, in Melbourne on Wednesday 30th March. It will be followed by a conversation between Neetu and the film director.
The film is directed by Emma Macey-Storch, and produced by Adam Farrington Williams, Emma Macey-Storch, Nayana Bhandari, Dipanjali Rao and Alexandra Curtis and had production support from Screen Australia, Vic Screen, The Documentary Australia Foundation, The Post lounge, Scout Finance and many loyal philanthropists and donors who have been on this journey over the last 7 years.
The winning films were chosen by this year’s jury: Carlos Aguilar, Justine Bateman, Dupe Bosu, Julie Carmen, Annlee Ellingson, Tim Grierson, Beandrea July, Elizabeth Lo, Scott Mantz, Jose Novoa, Gil Robertson, Charles Solomon, Angie Wang, Steve Zahn, and Anthony and Annette Zerbe.
The 37th Santa Barbara International Film Festival has been running for 35 years and has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States – attracting 100,000 attendees and offering 11 days of 200+ films, tributes and panels.
Melbourne preview screening:
30 March 2022
Astor Cinema
1 Chapel St, St Kilda 3182
Arrive 6.30pm for 7pm start
Book your film tickets https://www.astortheatre.net.au/films/geeta
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