Kawergosk

After fleeing war in Syria and crossing the border into Kurdistan Region, Iraq, Syrian Kurds attempt to build a life in Kawergosk Refugee Camp. Music, food, and education provide families some comfort and meaning while they struggle with camp conditions and the persistence of waiting. This documentary shares the story of the of several families from Syria who are seeking safety in Kawergosk Refugee Camp and in the city of Erbil in Kurdistan Region Iraq. This project includes a 30-minute documentary film, website, and posters. The poignant refugee stories and depiction of camp life will help bring awareness of the Syrian refugee situation, the Kurdish response, and the need for international support for humanitarian aid in the region. Strategies included working as a cross-cultural team (three filmmakers from different cultures and backgrounds), skills-sharing, collaborative transcription and translation, and engagement with other faculty and students through a broad project scope (film production, graphic design, web design). Learning outcomes included increase knowledge of field and post production techniques; story and aesthetic development for film, photobook, and web; and film distribution techniques. Additional outcomes included a deepening of cultural, political, and religious awareness. Submitters: Sarhang Sherwany and Saddam Al-Zubaidi Faculty advisors: Yeohyun Ahn and Liz Wuerffe