Free documentary screening to feature audience Q&A with Sierra Leone-based filmmaker

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
This undated photo of a Sierra Leonean child fishing was provided by The Center on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO) at the University of Georgia School of Social Work.
This undated photo of a Sierra Leonean child fishing was provided by The Center on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO) at the University of Georgia School of Social Work.

A selection of documentary short films by Emmy and Peabody award-nominated filmmaker Lansana Mansaray will be shown for free at Athens Ciné on Sept. 20 in connection with the University of Georgia's Center on Human Trafficking Research and Outreach (CenHTRO) and the Willson Center for Humanities & Arts.

The program, entitled "Storytelling Sierra Leone's Insecurity," presents Mansaray's work as a director and cinematographer spotlighting human trafficking and child labor in the region of West Africa. Following the 7 p.m. screening, Mansaray, who is also known as "Barmmy Boy," will participate in a live audience Q&A session via Zoom technology.

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This undated promotional image shows Sierra Leone-based documentary filmmaker Lansana Mansaray, also known as Barmmy Boy.
This undated promotional image shows Sierra Leone-based documentary filmmaker Lansana Mansaray, also known as Barmmy Boy.

Originally from Freetown, Sierra Leone, Mansaray is the founder and production manager of WeOwnTV, a collaborative media education project that works with filmmakers from underserved communities and balances intensive media production training with professional development. Mansaray's 2018 film "Survivors" was broadcast on the PBS series "POV" and was nominated for Peabody and Emmy awards in 2019.

Mansaray's documentary shorts "Youth," "Charity" and "They Resisted" are characterized by their lack of traditional narration, allowing the stark footage and subjects' own words to tell the stories of life in Sierra Leone and the vulnerabilities that can lead to situations of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

CenHTRO director David Okech will be in attendance at the screening to discuss their efforts to combat human trafficking in Sierra Leone and around the world.

“Child trafficking is a serious problem in Sierra Leone,” Okech said. “These children are just like our children, and their potential is being compromised. It is important for all of us to pay attention, and these films help us do that by shining a light on the issue.”

Athens Ciné is located at 234 W Hancock Ave. To RSVP, visit facebook.com/events/479817667320782. For additional information, visit cenhtro.uga.edu.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: African filmmaker to participate in live Q&A at documentary screening