Desert Flower:
Desert Flower tells the tortuous and triumphant true story of former supermodel Waris Dirie, who at the age of six had her clitoris forcibly removed in an act of female circumcision in her native Somalia. A nomad, Waris at age thirteen escaped an arranged marriage to a grandfather-aged man, crisscrossed the country and escaped to London, where several years later as a fast-food janitor she was solicited for a photo shoot by photographer Tommy Donaldson. The rest was history.

History however, is never far away from Waris Dirie, who in the late 1990s shocked the fashion world with the disclosure of her genital mutilation. Ms. Dirie quit a life that brought fame and wealth, became a United Nations ambassador and continues as an activist to fight to end a violent ritual that has plagued the African continent among other places. It is difficult to attain a balance in making a film like this one about female genital mutilation for audiences; but it a story that needs to be told. Filmmaker Sherry Hormann recognizes that Ms. Dirie's prominence came not on a bed of roses or a conventional rags-to-riches story but mostly out of an urgent commitment to justice and unobstructed, undiluted womanhood, even if part of that womanhood was taken from her very early on. The results are powerful and beautiful. There are plenty of dream-like, vivid episodes, as if parts of Waris's body, heart and soul are blossoming. Wisely crafted, disciplined and intelligently rendered, Ms. Kebede gives every part of Dirie’s life dimension and a fair hearing. The film's mood is light, reflective, hopeful, sad and jarring, running the gamut of emotions and feelings.

Director: Sherry Hormann
Writer: Sherry Hormann
Running Time: 120 Minutes
Release Year: 2009
Language(s): English/Somali/French
Website: www.desertflowerfoundation.org___

The Butterfly Circus
At the height of the Great Depression, a showman of a renowned circus leads his troupe through the devastated American landscape, lifting the spirits of audiences along the way. During their travels they discover Will, a man without limbs at a carnival sideshow, but after an intriguing encounter with the showman he becomes driven to hope against everything he has ever believed. Although just a twenty-minute film, a complete story is told. Shot on a shoestring, The Butterfly Effect is anything but; clearly the cast and crew alike put their hearts into this project and all their talented contributions show up on the screen.

The movie features talented actors Eduardo Verastegue, Matt Allman, Doug Jones, Lexi Pearl and Conner Rosen. It also features newcomer but world-renowned motivational speaker Nick Vujucic (born without arms or legs) as Will- the character in which the story revolves around. Nick’s character is sensitive and very moving; possessing a natural integrity vital to the movie. The story emphasizes positive internal change to create hope in one’s life. Winner of the Clint Eastwood Filmmaker Award, Doorpost Film Project and others, this movie is a feel good artistic movie that has an uplifting, message devoted to show how much beauty we can achieve on the inside.

Director: Joshua Weigel
Writers: Joshua Weigel & Rebekah Weigel
Running Time: 20 Minutes
Release Year: 2009/2010
Languages: English
Website: www.thebutterflycircus.com ___

Where The Water Meets The Sky:
Narrated by Morgan Freeman, Where the Water Meets the Sky is the story of a remarkable group of women in a remote region of northern Zambia, who are given a unique opportunity: to learn how to make a film, as a way to speak out about their lives and to challenge the local traditions which have, until now, kept them silent. Many in the group cant read or write, most are desperately poor, and few have been exposed to film or television. But with the help of two teachers, this class of 23 women learn to shoot a film that portrays a subject of their own choosing. It involves an issue that is traumatic for them all, and rarely spoken about: the plight of young women orphaned by AIDS.

Their film recounts the real-life experiences of Penelope, an 18-year-old orphan, and her struggle to provide for herself and her siblings in the wake of her parents deaths. What begins as a workshop about filmmaking, and a quest to tell Penelope’s story, becomes a journey in empowerment as the women rise to the challenge of pressing their community to change. Uplifting and poignant, Where the Water Meets the Sky is the story of an unforgettable group of women who defy long traditions of silence and who demonstrate with courage, humor and resilience that their futures are once again something of promise.

Director: David Eberts
Writer: Jordan Roberts
Running Time: 60 Minutes
Release Year: 2008
Language(s): English
Website: www.camfedinternational.org___

Sinking Sands Sinking Sands is the first international Ghanaian movie and was reviewed on BBC Weekend Network Africa. In Leila Djansi’s directorial venture, the movie features Pabi and Jimah played by Jimmy Jean-Louis and Ama Abebrese; who get tied in the nuptial knot after their love affair. This upbeat film encircles the domestic abuse that exists in almost every household. In true sense, it brings out the picture of a frustrated soul, Jimah, who is unable to face himself after a major accident, and turns into a monster, thus negatively affecting his marital status profoundly.

The psychological drama will ensue a feeling of catharsis with its characters. The film received 9 nominations and won 3 awards at the 2011 African Movie Academy Awards, including the awards for Best Screenplay & Best Makeup; and won the award for Best Actress at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival. The movie also stars actors Yemi Blaq, Akosua Agyepong, Chris Attoh and Doris Sakitey

Director: Leila Djansi
Writer: Leila Djansi (story)
Release Date : 2011
Running Time: 106mins
Language(s): English
Website: www.sinkingsandsmovie.com___