CYPRUS TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS SOLICITATION FOR

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000110 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR G/TIP REBECCA BILLINGS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM ASEC ELAB PHUM PREL SMIG CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS SOLICITATION FOR G/TIP-MANAGED FY 2008 ESF AND INCLE FUNDS REF: A. SECSTATE 161293 ¶B. DAHM-FORSTROM EMAIL 02/12/08 ¶1. Per Ref A request, the Embassy submits one (1) proposal for an anti-trafficking in persons project to be funded from FY 2008 INCLE and ESF appropriations; details have been sent via e-mail to appropriate Department personnel (Ref B). The request is for a film entitled "Lullaby," by Cypriot film producer Yianna Americanou. Ms. Americanou's film would help to increase trafficking awareness and reduce demand for trafficked women in Cyprus, long a TIP destination country. Embassy anti-TIP interlocutors regularly have sought Cyprus-specific content, such as films, public service announcements, and reports, and this film would help quench that demand. ¶2. "Lullaby" specifics follow, keyed to Ref A order: (a) Name of Applicant: Yianna Americanou, Lola Films (b) Requested funding amount: $20,985 USD (c) Project Title: "Lullaby" (d) Project Duration: six months for filming, one year for distribution (e) Proposal Abstract (in the the producer's words): "The short film "Lullaby" is a strong, provocative and tough film that aims to stir the audience since it deals with the modern slave trade, forced prostitution, and the brutal exploitation of foreign women in Cyprus. It traces in 15 minutes of film the story of a Ukrainian woman named Inessa, and the odyssey she lives in one night, where such a night is like every night for her. Once the film is completed, the intention is work with local NGOs in both communities on aggressive awareness raising activities, specically those that target demand reduction. We would like to have it screened here on Cypriot television as well as in cinemas, and to this end we are currently in discussion with theaters to show the film in advance of feature films. We also intend to have the film available for screening at various events organized by the U.S. Embassy here on the island as well as abroad, bringing to the surface the issue of trafficking that exists in the island of Cyprus. The film is partly funded by the Cinema Advisory Committee of Cyprus (Ministry of Education and Culture) and SEE CINEMA NETWORK (Balkans Fund). However, the available funds are not adequate to complete the film effectively." SCHLICHER