Draw for Change!

About

Cartoonists play a critical role in our world of social media, populism and fake news, offering a unique perspective and voice that can help to cut through the noise and provide clarity in a sea of information. In this digital age of post-truth, the cartoon did not lose any of its power for social commentary and activism. On the contrary.

The series DRAW FOR CHANGE! showcases six female cartoonists from around the globe challenging societal boundaries and norms. In each episode, a cartoonist offers viewers a glimpse into her world, exposing not only the hurdles and perils she faces but also the bravery and wit essential for overcoming them. Filming took place in Mexico, Russia, India, Syria, Egypt and the US, with each country offering distinct challenges, resulting in six episodes centered on themes like femicide, press freedom, and female representation. This series introduces resilient women who draw because it’s unthinkable not to. Despite job loss, intimidation, or death threats, they persist, contributing to incremental changes in their societies. Each film, directed by a distinguished female director linked to the subject’s country, seamlessly blends documentary, cartoons, and animation.

After an idea of showrunners/cowriters Vincent Coen & Guillaume Vandenberghe, DRAW FOR CHANGE!, written and directed by Alaa Amer, Alisar Hasan, Sama Pana, Anna Moiseenko, Karen Vázquez Guadarrama and Laura Nix, and produced by Clin d’oeil films (Hanne Phlypo), coproduced by A Bahn (Marion Guth & François Gall), Point du Jour/Les films du balibari (Estelle Robin You) and Ma.ja.de (Heino Deckert) is presented as broadcast episodes (52 minutes RT) and some have an additional feature lenght (70-90 minutes RT).

The American Episode Democracy Under Siege is to be released end of October before the US elections and was co-produced by by Marion Guth & François Gall, Estelle Robin You, Heino Deckert and Claire Lupa Chandler and exec produced by Sigrid Dyekjaer, Laura Nix, Salma Abdalla, Julie Goldman, Christopher Clements.

Awards

Best International Documentary Series at Canneséries

Rose d’Or Finalist in the category Arts

GRAND PRIZE by the RIAS Berlin Commission

Special Commendation Prix Europa Best Video Documentary for “Behind the Lines”

Prix Horizons for “Behind the Lines” at Le Grand Bivouac

ECFA Doc Award for “We are Fire” at Filem’on

Special Mention for “We are Fire” at Doxs

Audience Award “We are Fire” at Let’s Doc

European Film Club Award “We are Fire” at Let’s Doc

Special Mention for “Drawing a Line” at Human Rights Film Festival Berlin
Ensor Nomination Best Doc Series

Credits

Concept, co-writers & Showrunners
Vincent Coen & Guillaume Vandenberghe

Writers & Directors
Alaa Amer
Alisar Hasan
Anna Mosienko
Karen Vázquez Guadarrama
Laura Nix
Sama Pana

Producers
Hanne Phlypo – Clin d’oeil films
Estelle Robin You – Les Films du Balibari
Marion Guth – a_Bahn
Heino Deckert – ma.ja.de
Claire Lupa Chandler (US episode)

Executive producers
Sigrid Dyekjaer – Real Lava
Salma Abdalla – Autlook
Laura Nix (US episode)
Julie Goldman & Christopher Clements – Motto Pictures (US Episode)

Partners

Autlook Filmsales
VRT
RTBF
ARTE G.E.I.E.
ARTE FRANCE
SWR
WDR
Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF)
Centre du Cinéma de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (FWB-CCA)
Luxemburg Film Fund
DGD
Screen Flanders
Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government
deMens.nu
CNC
La Région Pays de la Loire, in partnership with CNC
International Media Support (IMS)
Co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA of the European Union and TV & Online content