Report on Cinema Under the Stars in Cité Soleil

The Green Family Foundation (GFF) has been hard at work in Haiti with FastForward Haiti, a team of video producers, industrial, graphic and light designers, and production managers who produce amazing events in Haiti. Currently FastForward and GFF have teamed up for the Food for Souls tour of Haiti, which has all ready made stops in Champs de Mars, Carrefour, and Cité Soleil. Food for Souls reaches an average of 2000-8000 people per event, and works with local businesses and community leaders to ensure a unified approach.

Cinema Under the Stars' current tour, Food for Souls, is an extravaganza of Haitian culture comprised of documentaries and films produced (mostly) by Haitians for Haitians.

The screenings are shown in a conscious effort to give viewers an important opportunity to look at themselves, their culture, and their heritage objectively. The people affected by the earthquake of January 12, 2010 that have been relocated to tent cities are treated to the experience of viewing and learning from the films and live performances. local Haitian communities can come together and share the experience of viewing and learning from the films and performances.

In May, GFF and FastForward traveled to Cité Soleil, a place regarded by many as one of the most dangerous on earth. With little to no police presence, the constant threat of gang activity in the area has made it a haven for prisoners who escaped Haiti's jails after the earthquake. Regardless of this, Kimberly Green, GFF president, reports that between 6,000 and 8,000 of Haiti's displaced residents were in attendance, basking in Sinema Anba Zetwal's glow of cultural pride. "You must experience this yourself," says Green. "Sinema Anba Zetwal has been able to use cinema and multimedia to unite, emancipate, and guide communities towards empowerment."

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