Facing home truths

STORIES inspired by Hobart refugees and migrants and their struggles to belong in a new community will be told through a series of short films to be premiered tonight.

Thread is a fictional five-part web series by young refugees and new arrivals aged from 16 to 25 years.

The project is the brainchild of award-winning filmmaker Lucien Simon.

“These films are an authentic, meaningful, moving, chilling and loving portrayal of young refugees who, despite facing racism, contradictory cultures and a new language, just want to feel like they belong in their new home,” Simon said.

The cast and crew included experienced professionals, emerging actors and filmmakers, students from Claremont College’s media course, and new community members.

“We have worked together to create a phenomenal series of films that we are excited to share with the whole community,” Simon said.

He said the films had an authentic and urgent feel and featured four languages: English, Mandarin, Persian and Nepali.

The project included participants from Nepal, Afghanistan, China, Congo, South Sudan, Malaysia, Iraq, Iran and Thailand.

Several experienced filmmakers and actors mentored and worked alongside the participants through the project, including Ben Winspear ( Underbelly, A Place to Call Home and Rake) and Sara Cooper ( Rosehaven, The Kettering Incident).

Thread was supported by the Moonah Arts Centre, Youth ARC, the Migrant Resource Centre and Students Against Racism, and will premiere at the Moonah Arts Centre at 7pm tonight. Tickets are $15 (plus booking fee), available from eventbrite.com.au, or at the door.

There will be a question-andanswer session with participants of the project after the screening.