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