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Capturing the reality of street life on film June 2007

Street Action will be working in partnership with New York based film director Billy Raferty. Billy first went out to South Africa three years ago and was struck by the number of children living on the streets of Durban. This was the inspiration for the film Children Rise. Children Rise is an intimate journey of Zulieka and Ariel, two Durban street children who Street Action co-director Joe Walker met on his trip to South Africa in March. The film puts us on the streets with these children, closer than ever before, to experience the world through the eyes as they see it. For more information about Children Rise go to the webiste  www.childrenrise.org

Children Rise director Billy Rafety has recently returned to New York from a five month trip to Durban.  During this time he was completing the filming of Children Rise and working closely with the Umthombo team everyday on the streets.  This has given Billy a unique insight into the daily horrors of children's lives on the streets of Durban which he has been able to capture on the film.  Since returning to the US, amongst other things Billy is hoping to submit Children Rise to the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. If successful, this will be a huge boost to the promotion of the film.  He is also planning to promote the film in the UK towards th end of this year.  Street Action plans to support Children Rise in raising the profile of the film and will be working closer with Billy and Children Rise over the next few months. We will keep you posted on further developments about the film and when Billy will be coming to the UK.