From young Australian filmmaker Genna Chanelle Hayes comes AKONI, the story of a homeless refugee, played by Esuruoso, who struggles to integrate into Australia society after escaping conflict in his homeland, until he meets a woman who opens her home, and ultimately heart, to him.
Speaking about the wins, filmmaker Hayes says: “Over 100 million people are displaced in today’s world, the highest number in recorded history. It is for this reason, that our film AKONI is as important today as it could ever be, particularly as we are yet to create policies in this country that uphold the human rights of those seeking safety on our shores. My team is incredibly grateful to the Australian Screen Industry Network Awards for recognising our independent film, along with the incredible talent who continue to be part of bringing this story to life.”
Australian Screen Industry Network Awards Director Brenda Papworth says: “We were so pleased to give recognition to Genna Chanelle Hayes’ debut feature film. AKONI is a beautiful film with enormous heart that reverberates with so many, and I believe echoes inside us all.”
Esuruoso (West Side Story, TINA The Musical, Show Boat) is a rising star of London’s West End, best known for his stage roles and stars in AKONI alongside Hayes playing the role of “Violet.” Coles Smith (Last Cab to Darwin, Mystery Road) features as “Sammy.”
AKONI marks award-winning Australian filmmaker Genna Chanelle Hayes’ feature directorial debut and she hopes to use film as medium to raise awareness of the dire global human rights issues and institutional racism facing close to 100 million refugees globally. The labour of love, which saw Hayes produce across Australia, Ghana, Nigeria and the United Kingdom, will premiere with a series of Q&A events around the country throughout Refugee Week (19th – 25th June).
Human Rights for All is the official charity partner of the AKONI national screening programme. The events’ aim is to drive fundraising to support freeing those who continue to be trapped inside of Australian detention centres, with a portion of its national screening tour also being donated to the cause.
UPCOMING “AKONI” SCREENING AND Q&A EVENTS:
Wednesday 15th June:
QLD – Q&A hosted by Angela Fredericks with the cast of “AKONI” at Gladstone Cinemas, Gladstone. Tickets on-sale soon.
Thursday 16th June:
SA – Q&A hosted by actor Stephen Tongun with the cast of “AKONI” at Wallis Mitcham, Adelaide, 6.00pm. Tickets available here
Friday 17th June:
VIC – Q&A hosted by human rights activist Alison Battisson with the cast of “AKONI” at The Classic, Elsternwick, 6.00pm. Tickets available here
Saturday 18th June:
VIC – Q&A with the cast of “AKONI” at Regent Cinemas, Ballarat 3.30pm. Tickets available here
Sunday 19th June:
VIC – Melbourne “AKONI” premiere. Q&A hosted by Aminata Conteh-Biger with the cast of “AKONI” at Cinema Nova, 3.30pm. Tickets available here
VIC – Q&A hosted by Aminata Conteh-Biger with the cast of “AKONI” at Lido Cinema, 7.00pm. Tickets available here
Monday 20th June:
NSW – Sydney “AKONI” premiere. A conversation with human rights activist, Alison Battison, former sex slave and refugee, Aminata Conteh-Biger and filmmaker, Genna Chanelle Hayes at Randwick Ritz Cinema, Sydney from 5.45pm. Tickets available here
Tuesday 21st June:
TAS – Hobart “AKONI” premiere. Q&A with the cast of “AKONI” at The State Cinema, Hobart from 5.30pm. Tickets available here
Wednesday 22nd June:
NSW – Q&A with the cast of “AKONI” at Byron Theatre, Byron Bay, 5.30pm. Tickets available here
Saturday 25th June:
NSW – Q&A with the cast of “AKONI” at United Cinemas, Avalon from 5pm. Tickets available here
Further dates to be announced