Sutherland Greens are delighted to be hosting a Kirrawee screening of Gaza Nippers, the heartbreaking yet inspiring film about children in Gaza growing up under siege.

The film charts the dream of starting Gaza’s first surf club: the goal was to bring joy, hope and safety to children in Gaza. It began in 2019 when two young men from Gaza came to Australia to train as surf lifesavers at North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club in Manly. The aim was for them to learn what it takes to run a Nippers program, and to take that knowledge back to Gaza to begin a culture of surf life saving education.

The Manly community was keen, and the program was gaining momentum. On returning to Gaza, Mohammed Saleh set up a Nippers programme and with his friends began to build the first surf lifesaving club in the Middle East. Children there loved the program. These young surf lifesavers found a freedom and joy in the waves. But after one successful season, four of the children were killed in air strikes: they were aged six, seven, nine and 10. Other adults supporting the program were also killed in Israel’s bombardment.

These children faced unimaginable loss, but through their eyes, we witness a Gaza rarely seen: full of courage, community and the enduring spirit of childhood.

Ultimately this film stands as a powerful testament to resilience.

After the screening audience members are welcome to stay for a panel discussion with
– Gaza Nippers filmmaker Majed Badra,
– Shamikh Badra, the co-ordinator and founder of the Gaza Nippers Project and member of the Northern Beaches Committee for Palestine,
– Greens Federal Senator Mehreen Faruqi,
– Ken Davis, adviser to APHEDA, Union Aid Abroad, and recipient of the Ronald Wilson Human Rights Award, for his contribution to advancing human rights.
– Maya Verma, refugee advocate, and member of Bundeena for Palestine.

The screening will be at Kirrawee Library Theatre on 11 April, at 1pm for a 1.15 start.

Please be sure to book to secure your seat: https://greens.org.au/nsw/GazaNippersFilm

#sutherlandgreens #gazanippers #gaza