Networking social justice

Building a new social justice network can be easier said than done but doing it by showcasing varied performance events is a technique in which Arts in Action is building a community.

The organisation recently held Social Action Film Night, an ongoing monthly joint film screening and poetry evening at Melbourne’s Trade’s Hall. The event amassed an audience of more than 120 like-minded people with a common theme of social justice.

The documentary film, The Last Survivor highlighted the lives of genocide survivors and their work in bringing to the wider world the plight of its victims. It was interspersed with performance poetry readings from Joel McKerrow, Sista Zai and Abe Ape, followed by speakers from the Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Project and Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

Arts in Action runs various and unique social justice events themes throughout the year, collaborated on by a range of not-for-profit partners.

“It’s about establishing a concept for social justice work, connecting and growing a network. The audience is a growth one, as there is crossover participation and involvement from event to event,” said founder Angie Muccillo.

Ms Muccillo said the idea grew after she reacted strongly to the documentary Women are Heroes by French activist JR. She then consolidated her passion for poetry and social justice issues under the Arts in Action concept. Since then she has built relationships with production companies and relevant artist groups.

“Story telling is really at the core of its concept. When I see a film I consider an organisation which matches it and then approach them to be part of a screening and performance event. It’s a way of bringing more people together and it’s very educative,” she said.

Ms Muccillo hopes to expand Arts in Action to create a documentary film fund to help support local producers develop social justice related films.