I am Hazara – Documentary Project

We are seeking funds for the post production costs of a feature documentary I Am Hazara and accompanying education resources. This project is timely given the current rise of racism and anti immigration sentiment.

Synopsis
For Hazara photojournalist Barat Ali Batoor, a camera has always been his voice. But when he exposes human rights abuses in Kabul, death threats force him to flee his homeland. He crosses borders and oceans, survives a shipwreck, escapes an Indonesian detention centre, all whilst turning the camera on himself to document it all. Through raw, never-before-seen footage, he captures a rare, first-person perspective of life chasing asylum. His journey becomes not just a reckoning with the past, but a powerful act of storytelling — exposing the injustices – then and now- he and his community still face in the “lucky country”.

Curriculum Materials
With Cool.Org we will deliver a compelling package of education resources targeting years 7-11 in schools. These resources will equip educators to explore critical themes of human rights, refugee journeys, the impact of racism and the importance of cultural identity in their classrooms.

10 curriculum-aligned lessons, designed for immediate classroom use will draw on key excerpts from the film and include video clips, photography, and inquiry-based learning activities.

The package will be hosted and promoted via Cool.org’s digital platform, reaching over 220,000 registered educators nationally. Over three years, we will undertake a structured digital outreach campaign and evaluate educator uptake, student engagement and attitudinal impact.