To involve our community in Stamford, SIRS has partnered with The Ferguson Library and IRIS in a series of screenings of documentary films that personalize the refugee crisis and show refugees making a new home. We also engage speakers for a Q&A period afterwards – either local experts in refugee and immigration issues or refugee families who have successfully settled in Connecticut.
Before each event, the library will provide a registration link so that you can register to attend in person or link to the virtual screening.
Our next event: T.B.D. – Fall 2024
We hope to find another interesting short documentary to share with the community in the Fall of 2024 to help personalize refugee stories.
Past events hosted or co-hosted by SIRS:
Last Song from Kabul: May 2, 2024
This short documentary followed young student musicians from Afghanistan National Institute of Music forced to abandon their school, family and country to keep music and themselves alive.
View Last Song from Kabul trailer
Our post-film speaker was Kevin Bishop, musician, former director of the orchestras of the school and current director of Cuatro Puntos, a non-profit that amplifies silenced and persecuted musicians.
SIRS February 2024 Walk for Refugees — in support of IRIS
We thank the fifty people — and three dogs! — who joined SIRS as we hosted a local walk (at Stamford’s Cove Beach) at 1:00 on February 11, 2024, to support IRIS–Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services — and their annual New-Haven based Run for Refugees. There was no registration fee, but we suggested a donation for IRIS of $10-$20 per family.
Here are the engaging documentary films we previously hosted.
Refugee Stories and Updates about Afghanistan, Ukraine and others
June 15, 2022 at 6PM (in person at the Ferguson Library, Stamford, and online)
Featured a sharing of videos and StoryCorps interview excerpts about recent refugees welcomed to CT and elsewhere in the U.S.documentary. Also included an update about new pathways for refugees to resettle in the U.S. and how to unite in support for Ukraine.
A Home Called Nebraska
Screened October 20, 2021 (in person and via Zoom). This documentary, directed and produced by Beth Gage and George Gage, spotlights people who have escaped war and persecution and introduces the co-sponsors who welcomed them, taught them and helped them find housing and jobs. The refugees are succeeding and giving back to the communities.
Speaker: Chris George, Executive Director of IRIS—Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, provided an update on the refugee situation and the role of co-sponsor groups, especially in helping welcome and support asylum seekers from Afghanistan.
Post-film Q&A: Film directors Beth and George Gage.
Future screenings or DVDs via Bullfrog Distribution
Day One
Virtual screening April 21, 2021. Q&A speakers: Lori Miller, “Day One” director; Stamford Public Schools’ Dr. Michael Fernandes, Assoc. Superintendent for Intervention and Student Support, and Monica Lahiri-Hoherchak, Coordinator of English Learner Programs; Ann O’Brien, IRIS Director of Community Engagement; Maman Cooper, former refugee.
Day One – future movie screenings or DVD
Midnight Traveler
Screened June 26, 2020. Intro & Q&A speakers: Chris George (Executive Director of IRIS) and Asif Safa (Afghan SIV, now a Stamford resident)
Midnight Traveler movie (90 minutes)
This Is Home: A Refugee Story.
Screened February 28, 2020. Post-film panelists: Chris George (Executive Director of IRIS) and Aminah Al Saleh and Issa Aldabaan (refugees now living in CT). Tastings catered by Aminah’s (Chef Aminah Al Saleh).
This is Home trailer
This is Home movie (91 minutes)
Inside My Heart
Screened November 21, 2019. Discussion and Q&A: Ann O’Brien (Director of Community Engagement, IRIS) and Jean Meyer with Stamford’s SIV family from Afghanistan (Asif Safa, Nooria Sarwari and their daughter Diana.
Inside My Heart trailer
Inside My Heart movie (70 minutes)
Soufra
Screened October 11, 2019. Panel speakers and Q&A: Chris George (Executive Director of IRIS), Catalina Horak (Director, Building One Community), Sam Rose (a refugee from Iran, now in Southington). Catering by: GreenLeaf-Catering.
Soufra trailer
Soufra movie (73 minutes)
Cookbook: Soufra. Recipes from a Refugee Food Truck