by Mariya Dostzadah Goodbrake (Afghanistan and US)

In Long Road to Freedom, Mariya shares her story of immigration from Afghanistan to Canada and then the US.

Thanks to the religious freedom she now has, Mariya and her team – in collaboration with local businesses – empower refugees and promote freedom of belief in Kansas City through Global FC. Global FC is a football/mentoring program that bridges diverse cultures to come together, forming just communities where all are free to be fully-known and fully-loved in pursuit of their God-given purpose and potential.

• District 18

• Grand Prize – Animation

by Maral Karaee (Iran and Canada)

District 18 is the story of a young woman living in a society where diversity is shunned, but she longs for freedom of belief. She finds it in a land where Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is celebrated.

Article 18: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Runners Up

The runners up are Her Factor by Ruba Abbassi, Together as One by Sarina Faizy, and Freedom to Succeed by Lydia Sunberg and Sage Taber.

• Her Factor

• First Runner Up

by Ruba Abbassi (Jordan) 

Jordanians share how women’s freedom of expression can promote economic prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa. In the region, tradition prevents many women from entering the workforce, resulting in lost economic opportunities.

• Together As One

• Second Runner Up

by Sarina Faizy (Afghanistan)

Sarina Faizy tells her women’s empowerment and freedom of belief story under Taliban rule. She become the first woman elected to a local government council, and an advocate for women’s education in Afghanistan.

• Freedom to Succeed

• Third Runner Up

by Lydia Sunberg (Hungary ) and Sage Taber (US)

Lydia and Sage demonstrate why immigrants and refugees need the freedom to contribute economically to their new society. They go beyond the facts and figures to reveal the personal strengths and abilities immigrants offer their new homelands.