From Here is a hopeful story of Tania, Sonny, Miman, and Akim - artists and activists based in Berlin and New York whose lives hang in the balance of immigration debates. As the US and Germany grapple with racism and nationalism, our protagonists move from their 20s into their 30s and face major turning points: fighting for citizenship, starting families, and finding room for creative expression. Spanning a decade in two of the world’s largest centers of immigration, this sensitive and nuanced documentary captures their journeys to redefine what it means to “belong” in societies that are hostile to their existence.

Programmer Notes:

This is a fantastic look at issues around immigration, citizenship, national and cultural identity, belonging. The subjects are great speakers and their stories are nuanced and heartfelt. We can’t afford to pass any opportunities where young people’s voices can be heard.

About the Director:

Christina is a US-based filmmaker and life-long activist whose work has been exhibited in over fifteen countries, and has garnered awards including a Euromedia Award for Culture of Diversity, a MTV Fight For Your Rights Scholarship, a Media that Matters Change Maker Award, among others. From Here is her first feature-length film, and grew out of personal questions about identity, race and how to advance social justice that emerged from growing up in the Greek-American diaspora. It has grown in parallel with an impact initiative withwingsandroots.org, where she collaborates with an international network to reimagine migration, citizenship, and belonging.