Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. In Support of a Film on Kenya

FilmAid International is a non-profit organisation that uses the power of film and media to transcend language and literacy, bringing life-saving information, psychological relief and much-needed hope to refugees and other communities in need around the globe.

To mark the first year anniversary of the Chivas Regal FilmAid partnership, Chivas unveiled a new short film documenting the amazing work of FilmAid focussing on a FilmAid project at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

The announcement was made over the weekend at an intimate event in the Chivas House on the Croisette and is part of Chivas Regal’s renewed ambition to raise awareness of FilmAid’s work whilst at the same time continuing to provide financial support for projects in East Africa to Asia and Haiti. Chivas had initially started with an initial donation of $100,000USD presented at the partnership launch at the Festival de Cannes in 2011

Oscar winning actor and FilmAid supporter, Cuba Gooding Jr., joined FilmAid UK Chair Iliane Ogilvie Thompson and Chivas Regal Brand Director, James Slack were on stage for an exclusive screening of the new short film commissioned by Chivas which was also supported by an exhibition of images captured during filming by distinguished Magnum Photos photographer, Olivia Arthur.

“Communities in crisis need information and empowerment. FilmAid provides both through the power of film, and I am delighted to be here to support their work and the generosity of Chivas Regal,” said Cuba Gooding Jr.

Mr. Gooding has been at the Cannes Fil Festival for a special screening of a film, Red Tails, which he stars in and which tells the true, heroic story of the Tuskegee airmen. 

James Slack, Brand Director, Chivas Regal, said, “After a successful first year of the partnership, we are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to FilmAid. Generosity of spirit lies at the heart of the Chivas brand and we are proud to play a continued role in providing financial support to projects worldwide.”

“The FilmAid film will help kick-start our fundraising plans for the year ahead but equally as important raise awareness of the charity’s amazing work by bringing FilmAid’s inspirational story to Cannes.”

Caroline Baron, FilmAid Founder, said, “FilmAid was formed in 1999 with the belief that movies could have a healing effect on refugees and displaced people, specifically those fleeing war in Kosovo.”

“More than a decade later, FilmAid’s work exhibiting and producing educational and inspirational films is thriving in communities affected by war and natural disaster in Haiti, Kenya, Thailand and beyond. Our work would not be possible without the generous support of organizations like Chivas Regal. We are deeply grateful.”

Since the launch of the partnership, Chivas Regal has pledged over US$250,000 investment to support FilmAid projects around the world. The funds raised have assisted with the operational costs of these projects, in particular areas such as film workshops, outdoor evening screenings and community based film production.

FilmAid operates two on-going programmes in Kenya: the Kakuma Refugee Camp (93,000 people) on the border of South Sudan and the Dadaab Refugee Camp on the border of Somalia (nearly 500,000 people). These programmes serve refugees from Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Burundi and Ethiopia. FilmAid also works with challenged communities within Kenya, including the Mathare and Kibera Slums. In late 2009 FilmAid started working with Burmese refugees in Thailand, and in 2010 began work with Internally Displaced Persons in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake.

Have a look at the film’s trailer below…