Draw for Change!

In today's era of digital misinformation, cartoonists retain their influence as essential voices. They offer a distinctive perspective that cuts through the clutter of social media, populism, and fake news, offering clarity and acting as beacons of social commentary and activism. DRAW FOR CHANGE. is a 6-part documentary series featuring female cartoonists from Mexico, India, Russia, Syria, Egypt, and the USA. It delves into their artistic world, exploring how their drawings impact real lives. Each episode, directed by a distinguished female director from these respective countries, seamlessly blends documentary, cartoons, and animation. These cartoonists often have compelling stories; for instance, Amany Al-Ali from Syria, caught between Assad forces and Al-Nusra, boldly criticizes both sides through her cartoons. Meanwhile, Rachita Taneja faces a potential two-year prison sentence for her art's alleged contempt of India's Supreme Court. In this series we'll meet strong women who are each rebellious in their own way: they draw because it is unthinkable for them not to do so. The price they pay for performing their work gives these characters a dramatic edge. They have been fired, intimidated or threatened with death. But they invariably refuse to give in and succeed - if only a little - in changing their society.

WE ARE FIRE! Episode...

Maremoto (Mar) is a young illustrator in Mexico City struggling to make sense of a town where 11 women are murdered daily, and 95,000 people have gone missing, with no one held accountable. Her feminist drawings support her community in dealing with the emotional trauma left by the femicides and galvanize them to fight to get the government forces to act. With her work, Mar also creates a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and teaches self-acceptance. – Ruth Somalo

Trailer...