Real Lives Multicultural Association is inviting visual artists, filmmakers, photographers, writers, poets, artisans to apply for the

Peruvian Amazon Storytelling Workshop

For 10 days, 15 passionate writers, artists and filmmakers will be submerged in the density of the Peruvian Amazonas and the lives of the local Shawi. Guided by a diverse Team of acclaimed international creatives and Peruvian indigenous leaders, participants will be exposed to the raw nature of the rainforest, conflicting forces impacting indigenous communities and sustainable activities to address climate change.

Each participant will develop a short provocation/artwork under the guidance and supervision of the Team. Unlike other workshops, the local inhabitants will not be mere characters in these stories but will serve as mentors, project collaborators and cultural mediators. The process of creation will require some form of partnership between local and international storytellers in defining, style, method, message and culture.

The workshop will take place in various settings including the urban river-based culture of Iquitos, the tropical rainforest surroundings of the Allpahuyo Mishana National Reserve, and the facilities of Formabiap’s indigenous bi-lingual education centre at Zúngarococha.

For more info and to apply: http://www.cedarsproductions.com

Teaching staff:
Rafael Chanchari Pizuri; Shawi teacher, shaman and philosopher (Peru)
Juan Carlos Galeano; poet, filmmaker, professor (Colombia/US)
Sophie Beer; object artist, art historian, cultural manager (AT)
Leoncio Ramirez Vasquez; photographer, producer, Peruvian Amazon expert (Peru)
Mark Abouzeid; filmmaker, photojournalist, storyteller (US /IT/LB)

PAY IT FORWARD - Proceeds from the workshop will be used to support Voces Indígenas Pilot Project (Peru): Empowering indigenous youth through Documentary Filmmaking.

For more info and to apply: http://www.cedarsproductions.com