Join Stand & Be Counted Theatre, City of Sanctuary, and Sheffield Hallam’s Creative Industries Institute & Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice for an important collaborative event exploring life within the UK’s hostile asylum system — and the actions we can take as a society to become more welcoming, supportive, and inclusive towards people seeking safety.
The event will feature:
- ‘Have Your Passport Ready’ — a powerful virtual experience presented by Stand & Be Counted Theatre
- A live performance by the Advocacy and System Change Volunteers Team from City of Sanctuary
- A screening of short documentaries created by Sheffield Hallam University staff and students
- An opportunity for Q&A and informal networking over food
What to Expect
Have Your Passport Ready – Stand & Be Counted Theatre
An interactive, virtual experience that puts audiences directly in the world of the UK's hostile environment. Led by brothers Khaled and Mohammad Aljawad from Syria, now based in Sheffield, Have Your Passport Ready explores an unknown city without an interpreter as audiences become players collecting evidence to prove their right to remain in the UK.
Created by the Stand & Be Counted; the UK's first Theatre Company of Sanctuary, this short film-meets-video game was commissioned by Knaïve Theatre to launch the inaugural season of Knaïve Theatre presents: A Digital Lyceum.
Advocacy and System Change Volunteers Team – City of Sanctuary
The Advocacy and System Change Volunteers Team at City of Sanctuary works towards systemic change in the asylum and refuge system in the UK, recognising that everything people seeking sanctuary experience is shaped by the systems we work within. They carry out this work in solidarity with people seeking sanctuary, ensuring that their leadership capacity is developed and their voices are heard.
Sheffield Hallam University – Film Beyond Borders
For the Summer School 2024 group of new filmmakers undertook training from RAAH and SHU in documentary approaches, FX6 cameras, sound recording and editing on Premiere Pro.
Creatives from a range of Sheffield organisations including City of Sanctuary, U-Mix and One World Choir took part and selected film ideas that were developed into longer work through Autumn 2024. As part of this event we will have an opportunity to watch:
• Hafiz’s Story tells the inspiring story of a young man’s journey from war torn Sudan across Western Sahara and the Mediterranean to new beginnings in Sheffield.
• One World Choir features powerful spoken word poetry, song and stories of strength found through community.
Please register for the event, as places are limited!
