On Saturday, January 18, a community showing of THE S WORD was held at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. The screening was part of the American Film Showcase, a film diplomacy program organized by the U.S. Department of State and the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. AFS brings award-winning, contemporary films to audiences around the world. Through its participation in this program THE S WORD has been screened in Malaysia, Indonesia and Lithuania, where Lisa and Craig Miller participated in a country-wide tour.
As usual, Lisa participated in the post-screening discussion, this time via Skype. The audience was comprised of Ukrainian citizens and, according to the U.S. envoy who coordinated the screening, many were touched by the stories depicted in the film and grateful for the opportunity to open up the conversation and bring the topic of suicide into the forefront through the media of film. One police officer was so inspired he plans to see to seek out additional training in suicide prevention.
THE S WORD looks forward to continuing to participate in programs organized by the AFS.
