FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sex Workers & Allies Screen Documentary Shorts, Discuss Advocacy Strategies

BROOKLYN, NY - On Saturday, October 24th starting at 6 pm, UnionDocs (322 Union Avenue, Brooklyn) will host two programs of short documentaries produced by sex workers and their allies from around the world. Curated by activists and media makers Audacia Ray and Sarah Jenny Bleviss, the two programs of short films and a panel of activist media makers will explore the possibilities of documentary media for furthering the human rights of sex workers and reducing the stigma and violence that sex workers face.

"We thought it was important to put together this program because sex workers and their allies are working hard at local, national, and international levels to represent their experiences and struggles in an authentic way that is not being captured by mainstream media," says co-curator Audacia Ray. Sarah Jenny Bleviss was inspired to create this program after the June premiere of "In Our Own Image: Sex Worker Made Media & The Story of $pread Magazine." "It quickly became clear to me that there were other people making documentaries about sex worker activism that portray the complicated range of experiences, deviating from single faceted portrayals and sterotypes. UnionDocs is the perfect place to host a serious exploration of this subject," says Bleviss. UnionDocs presents a broad range of innovative and thought-provoking non-fiction projects to the general public, while also cultivating specialized opportunities for learning, critical discourse, and creative collaboration for emerging media-makers, theorists, and curators.

A panel titled "Moving Image to Movement" will feature a discussion among Audacia Ray (International Women's Health Coalition), Nancy Schwartzman (director, The Line) and Violeta Krasnic (WITNESS) about video as an advocacy tool for sex workers and others working for sexual rights and justice. They will discuss their successes and challenges in building advocacy campaigns based around video and other multimedia.

The October 24th event will feature a screening from 6 - 7:30 pm, panel discussion from 7:30 - 8:15 pm, and screening from 8:30 - 10 pm. Admission to one program is $7, attendees can see both screenings and the panel discussion for $10. Visit http://uniondocs.org for more information and to buy advance tickets.

CONTACT:
Audacia Ray
aray@sexworkawareness.org
718-554-1714