The internationally-acclaimed American documentary filmmaker and founder of Production Company Trilogy Films flew out to the United States yesterday after being part of the American Film Showcase (AFS) program in Port Moresby.
Dawn Porter’s visit to Port Moresby (March 1-6) under the American Film Showcase program supports the Embassy’s programs and initiatives empowering women, addressing gender-based violence and keeping girls in schools.
During her visit, Porter highlighted the importance of women’s entrepreneurship and engaged with women in business, school students from St. Joseph’s International College, film/documentary producers, representatives from youth organisations and government and non-government entities.
She emphasised the impact that visual arts and film can have in eliminating gender-based violence, discrimination and supporting other social justice related topics.
Porter’s last engagements focused on the work of civil-based societies such as Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) and independent secretariats such as Consultative Implementation & Monitoring Council’s (CIMC) Family Sexual Violence Action Committee, and the important roles they play in the development of PNG.
In both meetings, Porter, AFS envoy and AFS Director Allan Baker, expressed their fascination at the amount of potential Papua New Guinea has and encouraged both organisations to continue in their efforts.
Porter concluded with sharing ideas on the importance of using the media in campaigns, specifically using films, in creating awareness on social issues such as combating gender-based violence.
(Youths from The Voice Inc with Dawn Porter at the American Corner)