I Am Belmaya – film screening
A tale of rebellion, courage and hope in patriarchal Nepal. Silenced and subjugated all her life, uneducated Belmaya takes up the movie camera to tell her story. Spanning 14 years, Sue Carpenter and Belmaya Nepali‘s feature-length documentary follows Belmaya’s transformational journey as she stands up to her husband and society, and reclaims her voice through filmmaking.
“Such a raw, powerful film. One of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen” – Sophie Cousins, The Lancet
Sue Carpenter, Director/Producer, has been involved in Nepal and women's rights for 20 years. A journalist and photographer, she moved into documentary filmmaking in 2013, and set up Tideturner Films, to make independent documentaries that spark social change. In 2006-07 she lived in Pokhara, running the My World, My View photo project, where she met Belmaya Nepali. Sue is a Founder Trustee of GlobalGirl Media UK, empowering young women through digital media training.
A story 14 years in the making, I Am Belmaya follows an uneducated young Dalit woman’s transformational journey from subjugated wife to award-winning documentary filmmaker.
The Steve Sinnott Foundation has the opportunity to host an exclusive online screening of this beautiful, inspirational film, set in Nepal, before it is released to the public. Afterwards we have a specially recorded Q&A with director Sue Carpenter and co-director Belmaya Nepali.
"I am hugely touched and impressed by this beautiful work. A daring and heartbreaking film, which fills one with hope and admiration. Its charm lies in its humour and sorrow, so deftly intermingled on the screen. Five shining stars from me”
- Joanna Lumley
Trailer:
Event Schedule:
From 6pm, Friday 9 April until 11pm on Saturday, 10 April:
Screening of I Am Belmaya (1hr 22 mins; you can view the film at any time between these hours)
Followed by: Pre-recorded Q&A with Sue and Belmaya (16 mins)
You'll receive an email from Tideturner Films with your viewing link and password, 30 minutes before the event starts.
Book your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-steve-sinnott-foundation-private-screening-i-am-belmaya-tickets-146859128607
Tickets and Donations
Tickets are sold on a donation basis, from £10 each. All profits will be split equally between The Steve Sinnott Foundation (for our Positive Periods programme, a training programme that teaches girls and women how to make their own period pads), and Tideturner Films (to fund the film's outreach to amplify its important messages, with 20% of Tideturner's share going direct to Belmaya and her daughter).
Audience reaction:
We hope you enjoy the screening of this moving and beautiful film.
Steve Sinnott Foundation • March 25, 2021
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide. https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.
