World Refugee Day is celebrated each year on June 20th to honor the strength, determination, and contributions that refugees bring to our communities. Hundreds of Missoulians (and beyond) have celebrated this day with us in past years, and we hope you can join us again this year. Although COVID concerns have shifted our plans and we have postponed our Annual World Refugee Day Cup soccer tournament, we’re thrilled to partner with Big Sky Documentary Film Festival and Run Wild Missoula to celebrate with a virtual screening of “RUNNER”, the breathtaking closing film of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival this past February. This is a nationwide virtual screening event that we are so excited to take part in. You can learn more about the film and watch the trailer here, and when you do, we know you won’t want to miss this incredible film.
This award winning documentary is about Guor Maker’s journey from Sudanese refugee to Olympian, chronicling Maker’s difficult and triumphant journey from refugee to world-renowned athlete, told in intimate interviews with gorgeously animated flashbacks of Guor’s upbringing, and culminating in a heart-wrenching reunion with his parents after a 20-year separation. His story is a distinctly inspirational one in which the indomitable human spirit emerges against all odds.
The film will be available to screen online for one week starting on Friday, June 19th by purchasing tickets through the BSDFF website. You can also follow the event on Facebook.
20% of all ticket sales will be donated to Soft Landing, and your purchase of a $12 ticket provides:
• A one-time link to watch the film at home with your family or “QuarenTEAM”, starting on June 19th
• A link to join the live virtual Q&A June 20th at 7pmMT with Guor Maker and director Bill Gallagher
• A donation to Big Sky benefitting Soft Landing Missoula.
• A link to join a panel discussion with Soft Landing Missoula & Run Wild Missoula on Friday, June 26th at 7:30
We are really excited about the June 26th panel that includes conversation with and perspective from Missoula resident and prior refugee Nolasque Balitebya. This is going to be an engaging and insightful followup to an incredible film and we so hope you will join us.