The Illawarra-based multicultural documentary film series ‘U & Me’ is among five shortlisted finalists for the national ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ Australian Human Rights Commission Award 2017.
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The ‘U & Me’ project initiated by the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI) and Why Documentaries and supported by Multicultural NSW, celebrates Australian friendships between people from different cultural backgrounds.
‘’We are honoured. Just to be listed as finalist for such a prestigious national award really is a massive achievement and reason to celebrate,’’ MCCI general manager Chris Lacey said.
The U & Me project was launched on Harmony Day in March 2017.
In recent months St George Illawarra Dragons players got involved by sharing their stories about footy friendships on and off the field.
Wollongong high school students from refugee backgrounds in Afghanistan, Congo and Syria interviewed the players.
The story about the Dragons players, expected to be released by the end of the year, is one of six new short films in the making.
Why Documentaries multi-platform producer Sandra Pires said U & Me films have reached more than 220,000 views across various platforms in the first six months and are available on the U & Me website and YouTube.
‘’The recognition of our work enables us to continue to showcase positive stories about diversity and multiculturalism and hopefully move beyond NSW to include people from other states and territories. The stories are there waiting to be told,’’ Ms Pires said.
The Australian Human Rights Commission will announce the award winner on December 8.
Ian Thorpe, Eddie Mabo and Malcom Fraser are previous Human Rights Medal winners.