Inaugural Global Migration Film Festival in Suriname: Building Human Connections and Understanding

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) organizes this Festival globally, to build understanding and humanize migration through film and video. The goal of the GMFF is to entertain, inform, educate, and stimulate discussion. In Suriname, four short Caribbean films were screened - "Passage", "Over the River Chronicles: A Vincentian Cassava Story", "Doubles with Slight Pepper", and "Auntie". The films dealt with various topics such as migrant smuggling and death at sea on one hand, and Caribbean food and culture on the other.  

Jan- Willem Wegdam, Project Lead at IOM Suriname said he was happy to organize the event for the first time in Suriname. “Our goal was to gather the different cultural groups in Suriname and create some awareness of the common experiences of migration through film.” He wishes that the Festival will encourage more empathy and unity among communities in Suriname and elsewhere.  

The first movie "Passage" told a tragic story of irregular migration from Haiti and led to thought-provoking discussion with the Bahamian film-maker Kareem Mortimer.  Mortimer chose not to use dialogue but focused instead on potent visual storytelling to establish a deep connection with viewers.  The ensuing panel discussion reflected on a quote from the film: "In life, we do not receive what we deserve, we receive what we negotiate". Panelists shared their perspectives, shedding light on challenges faced by the Haitian community in Suriname, including stigma, discrimination, and limited opportunities, while acknowledging the generally supportive environment in Suriname towards migrants. Panelists included Norville Plet Burleson, a social worker and Anne Simon of the Haitian Consulate.   

The second short film "Over the River Chronicles: A Vincentian Cassava Story", immersed viewers in the vibrant Caribbean culture, beautiful landscapes, rich traditions and customs of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The audience connected with the film's music, joining in a traditional work song associated with the processing of the cassava root “Farine oh Dampiana, Farine oh Dampiana; Scrape um, grind um, wring out the water; Scrape um, grind um, wring out the water…”   

Day Two of the GMFF presented films that explored migration, identity and belonging, and the stories of those who stay behind when their family members move to another country, the sense of loss, and dreams of reuniting. 

"Doubles with a Slight Pepper" combined scenes of warm nostalgia with vivid portrayals of the hard realities of migration. A film highlighted the role of food “Doubles” as a source of comfort and belonging. The Director, Ian Hawthorne explained that his own story inspired the movie.  

The film, “Auntie”, examined love, loss and self-discovery, through the story of a migrant mother who provides materially, while an aunt raises her daughter "back home”. The effects on the characters are complex. 

Suriname’s first GMFF used film, dialogue, food, and music to promote understanding across cultures and experiences.  The event used diverse Caribbean migration stories in film to create a powerful platform to bring people of different backgrounds together for dialogue, understanding, and to build empathy about migration issues, while honouring the strength of migrants and celebrating the positive impacts that they can have on culture and society.  The GMFF was hosted by IOM Suriname with generous support from the US Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. 

For more information, contact Jan-Willem Wegdam jwegdam@iom.int