Beyond the Ceasefire: Solidarity, Safety, and Justice

Join us for this in-person and online event at Canva community space on Gadigal Land (Surry Hills, Sydney) where the Our Race Community in collaboration with Palestinian-Australian filmmaker Aprille Asfoura, invite you to an event at a pivotal moment in 2025 to explore what's next after the ceasefire for Palestinians in Palestine and those in and arriving to "australia".

The evening will include:

Two short films from Palestinian filmmaker Ruwaida Amer.
Palestinian-led conversation discussing what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank and the visa situation in "australia".
Music from Zeadala.
Facilitated group discussion to brainstorm and organise how we can share these stories and amplify them further.

Program

5:00 PM – Guest Arrival
5:30 PM – Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country

6:00 PM – Film screenings and interviews
6:45PM- Music Performance by Zeadala
7:15 PM – Panel conversation
7:45 PM – Story Brainstorm Session
8:30 PM – Event Closing

Your ticket includes a selection of food and non-alcoholic beverage upon arrival. Additionally, a silent auction and raffle will take place, made possible by the generous support of our friends and community partners.

Important Notice: We will be filming parts of the event with video footage to be used for a promotional video and to share parts of the event on social media.

All funds raised will go towards paying the Story Holders- filmmakers, musicians and speakers with additional donations going towards mutual aid.

Meet the Story Holders

Nathan Leslie is a multi-talented artist and a proud descendant of the Gamilaroi, Mandandanji, Wiradjuri, Awabakal tribes and peoples. His journey in dance began at ACPA under the guidance of Michael Leslie, before furthering his studies at QUT and graduating from WAAPA. Nathan has collaborated with renowned choreographers and directors such as Csaba Buday, Evan Jones, Keith Hawley, and more, and has trained with prestigious dance institutions including Australian Dance Theatre and Netherlands Dance Theatre.

Ruwaida Kamal Amer is a journalist, producer and filmmaker based in Gaza. She previously worked as a science teacher. After the outbreak of the war, she stayed with her family in Gaza, from where she reports on the ongoing conflict and its devastating impact on the civilian population. Her work has been published by a number of international media outlets such as Al Jazeera English, Euronews and ABC News. She writes regularly for +972 Magazine about the daily realities of life in besieged Gaza and the humanitarian crisis, and she often highlights stories that are often ignored by the mainstream media.

Ahmed Alabadla is a Palestinian from Gaza. Co-founder of Palestine Justice Movement.

Sara Saleh is an award-winning writer, race critical human rights lawyer, and the daughter of Palestinian, Lebanese and Egyptian migrants based on Bidjigal land. Her poems, prose, and essays have been published in English and Arabic across dozens of literary platforms. She has led workshops in countless classrooms, community spaces, and festivals around the world. As a long-term organiser for the justice for Palestine movement, she is focused on building on Black-Palestinian solidarity, and empowering our communities’ movement with legal and political tools in service of Palestinian liberation.

Zeadala is a Thai/Iraqi multidisciplinary artist based in South-West Sydney, land of the Cabrogal of the Darug Nation. Through their works they address themes of social and environmental injustice, healing, and self-knowledge. The word ‘Eadala’ means justice in Arabic, aligning with Zeadala’s desire to uphold equality, truth and balance in the world.

As a performer, workshop facilitator and mentor, Zeadala challenges normative narratives within society with their raw Hip Hop stylings, simple yet rhythmic guitar compositions, soothing vocals yet vastly bold lyrics. It is no wonder she has supported international artists like Omar Offendum (US) in 2016 as well as Rebel Diaz (US) in 2019.