Written by Jordan Roberts (March of the Penguins) and narrated by Academy Award-winner Morgan Freeman, Where the Water Meets the Sky tells the inspiring story of a group of women in a remote region of Northern Zambia who achieve the unimaginable: they learn how to make a film as a way to speak out about their lives, raising an issue that no one will discuss- the plight of young women orphaned by AIDS.
Tune in for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the filmmaking process and the issues that the film addresses from the panelists – among them, a participatory filmmaker from Ghana; the Zambian educator who helped change the fate of the young woman at the center of the film; and Camfed's founder and Executive Director.
Bio
Ann Cotton
Following research into the constraints on girls' education in Zimbabwe, Ann Cotton founded CAMFED in 1993. In 2000 she went on to study at the School for Social Entrepreneurs. She has an MA in Human Rights and Education, is an honorary Master of the Open University, sits on the Board of the African Studies Centre and is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Cambridge University.
In 2004 Cotton was named UK Social Entrepreneur of the Year, and in 2005 was awarded both the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship and a Beacon Fellowship. In 2006, she received an OBE in honour of her services to girls' education in Africa and in 2007 she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Cambridge.
Abibata Mahama
Abibata Mahama is a filmmaker and trainer in participatory video projects with a background in television production and education. She has worked for Ghana Television GTV in the Drama and TV Presentation section for 10 years as a producer/director and presentator.
Born and educated in Ghana and in England she lives in Ghana. She is fluent in English, Twi and Dagbani and has a good command of Hausda and Ga.
Benjamin Shama
Benjamin Shama is an educator in Zambia.
He has been a high school director and was appointed as District Commissioner in Northern Zambia.
Ron Simon
Ron Simon has been a curator at The Paley Center for Media since the early 1980s. He is also an adjunct associate professor at Columbia University, New York University, and Hunter College, where he teaches courses on the history of media.
Simon has written for many publications, including The Encyclopedia of Television and Thinking Outside of the Box, as well as serving as host and creative consultant of the CD-ROM Total Television. A member of the editorial board of Television Quarterly, and a judge on the George Foster Peabody committee, Simon has lectured at museums and educational institutions throughout the world.