Impact Days Catalogue
fifdh
By Nobis Hanka and Hanna Nobis

Songs of Sisterhood

Image du film Songs of Sisterhood - FIFDH 2023
IMPACT DAYS

Lu and friends survive a pandemic, a war in the neighboring country, and a climate crisis in the midst of Poland’s conservative and oppressive norms. All they want is a future. As they fight for a better world, they pay a price for their success. Dealing with physical violence, mental breakdowns and a general lack of support from their parents’ generation, unconditional loyalty becomes vital. Can they survive the present? Can their love?

Sections : Impact Days, Impact Days
Country : Poland
Original language : Polish
Directors
Nobis Hanka
Hanna Nobis (Poland)
Producers
Esther van Messel
Esther van Messel (Switzerland)
Hanna Nobis (Poland)
First Hand Films
Offhand Films
Completion
September 2025
Impact Statement
The impact we want to make is psychological, social and political. Our film conveys a message of love and understanding, of dialogue and tolerance. Ultimately, we would like to enhance empathy between opposing sides and a form of solidarity we feel is simply human. We want to make an impact for neurodiverse people, for those who struggle to maintain their mental health and balance, and for all fighting to make this world a better place. The areas are women's rights and the agency of their bodies (abortion), freedom of speech and information, and inclusion of diversities in gender, psychological and physical abilities.
Worldwide, young people take more responsibility for our collective wellbeing than ever before. As they fight for a better world, what is the price they pay at the frontline of change? How can they live, not just survive?
Impact Goals
  1. The film can be a tool for co-existing method organisations working for mental wellbeing of
    2. the LGBTQI+ community.
  2. The film should open a discussion about the well-being of the LGBTQI+ community.
  3. To facilitate spaces for young people to discuss on how to hold healthy relationships within a community. Love and solidarity are an act of resistance against oppression.
  4. Humanise LGBTQI+ themes by talking about their daily struggles.
  5. To create a safer space and awareness for the younger generation which is fighting for justice (LGBTQI+, Climate..) and while doing it burning out.
Impact Strategy
  • Include LGBTQI+ themes into the mediation conversations in Poland. Being a LGBTQI+ teenager in today’s oppressive conservative society is a challenge.
  • Reaching out to the therapeutic and medical communities with two different goals: Firstly, work together in order to develop supportive actions for specific mental health problems suffered by the LGBTQI+. And secondly: access to abortion should be a basic human right in Poland and we need a clear position and fight from the medical community and health organisations.
  • Organise mediation meetings/workshops between radical anti-abortion defenders, and people who have had abortions, as well as defenders of this right.
Contact
Primary contact
Esther van Messel (Switzerland): esther.van.messel@firsthandfilms.com
Participants present at the Impact Days
Esther van Messel (Switzerland)
Hanna Nobis (Poland)

Film funds and agencies
Inmaat Foundation
MEDIA Switzerland
Federal Office of Culture
Zurich Film Fund
Polish Funds
Storyboard Collective

Broadcasters
MDR/ARTE
HBO MAX

Film funds and agencies
Inmaat Foundation
MEDIA Switzerland
Federal Office of Culture
Zurich Film Fund
Polish Funds
Storyboard Collective

Broadcasters
MDR/ARTE
HBO MAX