August 27, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Facebook, Women Thrive Worldwide Host Nationwide Screenings of Tapestries of Hope

Coalition group members will introduce the film at all HOW MANY theaters and encourage support for the International Violence Against Women Act

LOS ANGELES - On September 28, 2010 Something to Talk About will lead a coalition of international organizations – including Facebook, Women Thrive Worldwide and The Red Hat Society – in screening Michealene Cristini Risley’s documentary Tapestries of Hope simultaneously in up to 100 theaters. The nationwide event will raise awareness for the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) and encourage audience members to contact their representatives in Congress and urge them to support the legislation. Tapestries of Hope is a ground-breaking documentary exposing the horrors of the rape and sexual abuse of thousands of young girls in Zimbabwe by men who believe it will cure HIV/AIDS. The film follows renowned child rights activist Betty Makoni, 2009 CNN Hero and founder of the Girl Child Network in Zimbabwe, whose mission is to shelter, educate, and empower these female victims.

"It's a privilege to share Betty Makoni's story with audiences across the country," said director Risley. "I hope the film shows that every person can make a difference in improving women's lives, even in a place where women face challenges that are unimaginable to many. By telling this story, perhaps others will be inspired to make a difference in their own way."

Each screening will feature an introduction by a coalition organization asking audience members to support I-VAWA by contacting their representatives and urging them to cosponsor the bill. I-VAWA – a bipartisan bill introduced by Senator John Kerry – is the first comprehensive legislation aimed at ending violence against women and girls worldwide.

The coalition of organizations includes: Facebook, Family Violence Prevention Fund, The Red Hat Society, IndieGoGo, Palindrome Advisors, Something to Talk About Media, The WIP, and Women Thrive Worldwide.

“This film moved me deeply and inspired me to find a way to bring it to as many people as possible.” said Meyer Shwarzstein, President of Brainstorm Media. “The nationwide screening of Tapestries of Hope is a ground-breaking effort, and we’re proud to be joined by the many partners who have come onboard to make it possible.”

To find a screening at a theater near you, please regularly check THIS WEBSITE for updates.

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About Tapestries of Hope
Tapestries of Hope unearths the Zimbabwean myth that if a man rapes a virgin he will be cured of HIV/AIDS. The consequences of this myth are tragic; sexual abuse is rampant, girls as young as one day old have been raped, and victims are being infected with HIV/AIDS. In 2007 Michealene traveled to Zimbabwe to document this affliction, focusing on the work Betty Makoni has done to help the victims of rape and sexual abuse. As a result of her filming Michealene was jailed, interrogated, and deported from Zimbabwe. This courageous film of tragedy and empowerment has won awards at the Louisville International Film Festival, the Monaco Film Festival, and the Honolulu International Film Festival. More information about the film is available at http://www.tapestriesofhope.com.

Michealene Cristini Risley
In April 2010 Michealene won Silicon Valley’s Women of Influence Award. As a human rights activist she speaks out on issues affecting women and children. She has addressed Congress, The State Department, The United Nations, Amnesty International, Stanford’s Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders and Google, amongst others.

She blogs frequently for the Huffington Post, and won the New Communications Review’s ‘Award of Excellence’ for her live blogs during her filming and incarceration in Zimbabwe. Michealene is currently working on a new book on her experience in Zimbabwe. She also co-wrote the book “This is not the Life I Ordered.” To date, the book has sold over 50,000 copies.

The International Violence Against Women Act
(S. 2982/H.R.4594)
The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) is an important effort by the U.S. government to decrease violence against women and girls globally. Introduced by the bi-partisan teams of Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and by Representatives Bill Delahunt (D-MA) and Ted Poe (R-TX), the bill will help support survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, and prevent violence by increasing U.S. diplomatic attention to decreasing violence against women and incorporate best practices into U.S. foreign aid. http://www.womenthrive.org

Something to Talk About
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT (STTA) produces events that showcase documentaries which feature inspiring people confronting the most significant issues of our time.

Our filmmakers, co-hosts, and sponsors work together to create an evening centered around the issues raised by each film. STTA’s theatrical events are intended to generate awareness about the films, discussion about the issues, and promote social action in aid of these causes. Our films are available on VOD, TV, and the Internet, encouraging the conversations we start in theaters to continue in living rooms, offices, and coffee shops across the nation.

Something to Talk About is produced by Brainstorm Media.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Michealene with Jan Yanehiro at The Metropolitan Club in San Franciso
640 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94102-1018
For tickets call (415) 673-0600
 

September 28, 2010 - OPENING DAY EVENTS

FACEBOOK LIVE CHAT
FACEBOOK speaking event
4 pm
Facebook campus

PREMIERE!
Tapestries of Hope in theaters around the country.
Check out www.tapestriesofhope.com to purchase tickets.