Winner of the 2018 Human Rights Watch Film Festival Nestor Almendros award for courage in filmmaking

Join us on Friday 14 June for an intimate screening of the film FACING THE DRAGON, featuring Canberra’s own Dr Nilofar Ebrahimi, a former independent MP in Afghanistan and women’s rights defender.

Following the screening, hear Dr Ebrahimi in conversation with Virginia Haussegger AM.

FRIDAY 14 JUNE 2024
6:30 to 8:30 PM
National Film & Sound Archive
McCoy Circuit, Acton
$20-$35 plus booking fee

Film synopsis

We have a responsibility to speak on behalf of every woman, from the remote mountains of Pamir to Nuristan. Advocating for women’s rights should not be a political game.

— Dr Nilofar Ebrahimi, film subject, Facing the Dragon

As the US withdraws forces and aid from Afghanistan, the Taliban regains their hold and the stability of the country’s fragile democracy is unclear.

Afghan-American filmmaker Sedika Mojadidi joins two awe-inspiring women on the front lines: Nilofar, a successful doctor-turned-member of parliament, driven in her mission to secure peace and well-being for women; and Shakila, a top investigative journalist committed to exposing the truth about what is happening in her troubled country.

Under increasing threats of violence, these two women are soon forced to choose between their sense of duty and love for Afghanistan, and the safety of their families.