Less Walls

Apologies - something went wrong with the earlier version of this message today. We try again: Today's the big day for our Cultureghem screening so we hope to see you at the Abattoirs for 18:30! The Bulletin promoted the event too, which is nice :-) In case you can't join us and need a way to watch the film in your own time (when you have 25 minutes), here are the links as promised: To a version with Dutch and French subtitles embedded - https://vimeo.com/790968065 To a version you can either watch without subtitles (people in the film speak French with some Dutch and English) or with English subtitles (select these in the CC box, bottom right of screen) - https://vimeo.com/820808558 We've removed passwords until the end of April so our lovely participants can share a link with family and friends. Silvia and Nanouk are also doing a little activity after the film at Cultureghem so we'll hand out cards with the QR code to people in case they want to watch the film online later. Feedback so far has been very positive - someone said this was "like a love letter to Brussels" so we hope you will also like what you see, and will be proud of having contributed to this project! We'll also write to those of you who signed up for extras. And keep you posted on what happens next. Anny, Nanouk, Silvia and the rest of the team xx

It's time: the film's almost ready to share!! After many months of work to finalise our film edits and animation, we're down to the finishing touches and busy finalising plans to launch it in April. To find out more about several initial screenings that you are invited to attend, depending on when suits you best, please join our WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LUl71g2dbUgFmnAzP1w4Om There's also an Instagram page updated with pics of our ongoing work (no spoilers though) https://www.instagram.com/lesswalls_thedocumentary/ We're excited to know we'll see you soon - with poster, dates, venues confirmed early next week!

Hello, it's been a while since you got our updates - but like buses (*maybe) several now come at once :-) Our filming plans got delayed over the summer but everyone on thet eam kept in touch and we were finally able to set a date: full focus on 21 September. We've lined up participants, official permissions, an exciting programme. Looking good, right? BUT unfortunately we've just found out that a public transport strike is due to take place in Brussels for 21 September. Which also means we definitively can't film a sequence on Tram 92 that day as planned. Argh! Not to worry: the creative process is never linear. We are resilient and committed to telling this story. So watch this space. More news very soon!

Good news: our LESS WALLS (a Brussels Love Story) crowdfunder was a success and closed at 105%. Thank you so much for supporting this project. We are very happy we can move forward: research, planning when and what to film...and more fundraising come next. We'll post regular updates and look forward to welcoming those who chose to join a pop up painting session or half day of filming. Creative hugs 🤗

Dear friends of LESS WALLS (a Brussels Love Story), your support for this project is really encouraging - we're so happy you agree that urban community-building matters. This year International Women's Day was a good time to reflect on why it's important to have a representative mix of voices - from women of all circumstances and ages. In fact with so much energy going into perpetuating senseless aggression, surely kindness, empathy, humour and the ability to listen to the views and stories of 'others' are needed more than ever. Can we show how, against the odds, these may prevail? Our crowdfunder ends on Friday - help us gather as much as we can (our EUR 8,000 target was set to ensure these funds can be released but it's only part of the full filmmaking budget) so we can continue on this story-telling mission together over the coming months :-)

There is no denying that these are stressful, uncertain times. We're glued to the news. But we're still keen to make our LESS WALLS film this year, reflecting on how to make cities like Brussels more resilient in the face of growing environmental and social pressures. Our project brings us hope: we want to give voice to those affected and celebrate common values, working with a small but passionate team. Mural-painting and personal engagement definitely play a role in tackling prejudice and disinformation. And a documentary film can usefully highlight people and organisations as catalysts for positive change. This crowdfunder ends on 11 March: we are c.EUR 2,000 short of being able to release funds and move ahead. So anything more you can do to support us, based on what you consider fitting in the circumstances, will make a big difference. If now is not the time for such a project so be it, but we remain cautiously optimistic. Feel free to watch, like and share our latest clip of Amal, a Brussels-based science teacher turned youth project facilitator collaborating with us, on our Instagram account - https://www.instagram.com/lesswalls_thedocumentary/ And as always: thank you!

Hello and thanks again for supporting our campaign to raise funds for the LESS WALLS documentary! You made a big difference: we're nearing 40% of our target which is really encouraging. KissKissBankBank tell us that 88% of projects that get past 20% of their goal are successful in their fundraising. So fingers crossed - and anything more you can do to spread the word around you will certainly be much appreciated. Also FYI since we mentioned that we are looking for other funds: last December LESS WALLS was awarded Support for Artistic Creation 2021 (Aide à la Creation Artistique), an initiative of the Alderman for Culture with the support of the College of Mayors and Aldermen of Uccle commune (see screenshot from Communal Magazine). We've just put in an application to the SABAM by the deadline of 31 January and plan to submit further public funding applications in the coming weeks. Processing takes time and there are many independent creative initiatives vying for the same funds but we really believe in this project so we remain cautiously optimistic, and will keep you posted xx