Wilton Film Screening of ‘Salam Neighbor,’ Documentary on Syrian Refugee Crisis

The Wilton Historical Society is screening Salam Neighbor, a timely and relevant documentary on the Syrian refugee crisis. The film will be followed by a panel discussion, “The Syrian Refugee Crisis:  Thinking Globally, Acting Locally.” Both events will be held at the Wilton Historical Society on Thursday, April 7 beginning at 7 p.m..

“Salam Neighbor is a beautifully crafted story that delivers a powerful message. It will leave you touched and inspired to take action. This film is a must-see.”

—UN Refugee Agency

To make Salam Neighbor, Zach Ingrasci and Chris Temple, two young Americans, deliberately head to the edge of war, just seven miles from the Syrian border, to live among 80,000 uprooted refugees in Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp. As the first filmmakers allowed by the United Nations to register and set-up a tent inside a refugee camp, the two men plunge into the heart of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crisis. From meeting Um Ali, a woman struggling to overcome personal loss and cultural barriers, to the street smart 10-year-old Raouf, whose trauma hides just beneath his ever present smile, Zach and Chris, who created and directed Salam Neighbor, uncover inspiring stories of individuals rallying, against all odds, to rebuild their lives and those of their neighbors.

“On a subject too often discussed in terms of numbers, Zach and Chris capture the human element of one of the greatest refugee crises of this generation.”

—Congressman Ted Lieu

“Chris and Zach are pushing the boundaries of how we tell stories and maximize social impact in the 21st century. They bring passion matched with professionalism and a humble respect for the people they’re seeking to help.”

—Carolyn Miles, CEO, Save the Children

The panel discussion, “The Syrian Refugee Crisis: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally,” will be moderated by Amy Fallas-Kerr of the Wilton Historical Society, and the panelists will include:

Steve Hudspeth, Chair of Wilton Interfaith Action (Wi-ACT) Steering Committee

Steve Hudspeth is a community leader who has served with several town organizations including the Council on Ethics for Wilton, and the Wilton Library. He also writes a column for The Wilton Bulletin, “A View from Glen Hill.”  As chair of the Wilton Interfaith Action Committee (Wi-ACT) Steering Committee, Steve coordinates many of the group’s humanitarian outreach programs including its refugee resettlement program. In a joint effort of ten faith-based institutions, Wi-ACT has recently resettled a Syrian refugee family in Wilton.

Ellen Small Billard, MSW, Co-Founder & Executive Director of the non-profit organization Road to Mafraq

Ellen Small Billard is a social worker, humanitarian, and advocate with a passion for social justice and a  deep interest in the Middle East. Prior to launching Road to Mafraq, she consulted for NGOs throughout Southeast Asia serving under-resourced and disenfranchised communities, including refugees and victims of human trafficking, and worked to reform child welfare and public benefits programs in the state of Connecticut. Road to Mafraq partners with grassroots movements to increase access to education for children impacted by conflict in the Middle East. Their current efforts focus on supporting Syrian and Iraqi refugees living in Jordan.

Mohamad Hafez, Syrian Artist and Architect

A Syrian artist and architect, Mohamad Hafez was born in Damascus, raised in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and educated in the U.S. Hafez’s art reflects the political turmoil in the Middle East through the compilation of found objects, paint and scrap metal. Mohamad’s work is exhibited nationally and internationally. He lives and works in New Haven.

International Refugee and Immigration Services (IRIS), Representative

IRIS is a non-sectarian, federally recognized refugee resettlement agency affiliated with two national organizations that work directly with the US Department of State and Office of Refugee Resettlement at the US Department of Health and Human Services to welcome and serve refugee admissions:  Church World Service and Episcopal Migration Ministries. The agency is based in New Haven, CT and has resettled more than 5,000 refugee women, men and children since 1982.

Salam Neighbor was selected as a 2015 AFI DOCS film, a five day international documentary film festival that takes place at landmark venues in Washington, DC. The festival is the only one of its kind to connect audiences and documentary filmmakers to policy leaders in the seat of our nation’s government.

To reserve a seat, contact the Wilton Historical Society via email or call 203.762.7257. The suggested donation is $10, and refreshments will be served.

The Wilton Historical Society is located at 224 Danbury Rd./Rte.7.