Every day teenagers who have fled their war-torn countries try to cross Europe’s borders in search of protection and a better life. They travel through a shadow world we never see: a world of minefields, bears, fast-flowing rivers, smugglers and border guards. ‘The game’ is the bitterly ironic term for crossing borders that has become commonplace among these young refugees. Risking their lives, the teenagers undertake a treacherous journey that often takes months or even years. Along the way, they grow up fast. Shadow Game is a journey through the dark side of Europe with teenage refugees as our guides.

 

In December 2021, CPS organised two projections of Shadow game and discussions on migration and unaccompanied children on the move within the Human Rights Film Festival.

The first screening and discussion were part of a small-scale event “Towards HRFF: Screening of the film Shadow game and discussion on the topic of contemporary migration for young people” organised with Močvara within their youth programme “Močvarna akademija” on 1 December 2021. 

The second screening was part of the official HRFF film program in Tuškanac cinema, Zagreb, on 7 December 2021. The screening was followed by a Q&A with Shadow Game director Eefje Blankevoort. 

The extensive follow-up discussion was organised the following day in Kinoteka, Zagreb, and live-streamed in the Facebook event shared by the Human Rights Film Festival and the Centre for Peace Studies. Participants in the discussion were Eefje Blankevoort, co-author of Shadow Game, Milena Zajović from Are You Syrious, and Sara Kekuš from the Centre for Peace Studies. At the panel, we discussed the context of contemporary migration and the difficulties that unaccompanied children face on the move. The panel discussion was part of the accompanying discussion programme within HRFF and it was moderated by journalist Ivana Perić. 

Furthermore, after the film’s premiere at the HRFF, the film was screened on Croatian commercial television RTL2, on the evening of Human Rights Day, 10 December 2021. 

The second event, organised on 10 May 2022, was the film screening for the students of the non-formal educational program of the Centre for Peace Studies, Peace Studies, within the course Human Security and Migration. Students first received a short introductory lecture about children in migration (EU migration policies and practices in migration were explained and debated in previous classes), watched the film, had a Q&A session with the film protagonist SK, and then continued to have an educative discussion with the Peace Studies’ lecturer Sara Kekuš.

The third event was organised during Refugee Weeks, in cooperation with Art Cinema Croatia from Rijeka, in their youth venue Dječja kuća (Children’s house). The screening with educational discussion in Rijeka was focused on children and youth. CPS’ Sara Kekuš moderated the event and was welcomed by Art Cinema’s educational program coordinator Dina Ožanić. 

The fourth event was also organised during Refugee Weeks, on World Refugee Day, 20 June 2022. This event lasted all day and included several activities:

In the morning, a press conference was held. CPS’ Sara Kekuš spoke alongside director Eefje Blankevoort, film protagonists SK and Jano who many times tries to access protection in Croatia but were pushed back to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and translator and journalist Zuhoor AlQaisi. Several media gathered and took statements from the project crew. After the press conference, a meeting was arranged at the Croatian Parliament with the members of the green-left coalition, Možemo platform. The MPs were discussing the topic of children’s rights and the treatment they get on Croatian borders with SK and Jano themselves, and pledged to continue following the topic and speaking about it. Additionally, an in-person policy meeting was held with the representatives of the Dutch Embassy as well.

A panel in the Croatian language was held for the local audience about the position of unaccompanied children in Croatia – the obstacles they face in access to protection, integration, and respect of their rights. Journalist Barbara Matejčić moderated the panel and participated in it as a panelist as well, given her vast experience in the area of children in migration. Psychologist Dragana Knezić from the Rehabilitation Centre for Stress and Trauma gave an overview of the system, and the framework improvements which need to be implemented in order for unaccompanied children to enjoy their rights, evolve, and have a quality involvement into society in Croatia. CPS’s Sara Kekuš gave an overview of the issue of children gone missing, systemic flaws in providing children with the adequate care and uncoordinated statistics of the relevant ministries. Sajid Khan who arrived to Croatia from Afghanistan 5 years ago as unaccompanied child, received protection here, and lives in a small community in Lipik, spoke about his experience living in Croatia. After the panel, Sajid Khan met his namesake and compatriot SK over a joint project dinner.

In the evening, the special screening of Shadow Game was held in Tuškanac Summer Stage, or jungle cinema as SK and Jano called it. After the screening, powerful applause and cheering from the audience opened the Q&A in which the film crew participated and CPS’ Sara Kekuš moderated it. After the long Q&A, the film crew, the audience and the organisers continued socializing at the venue. The Deputy City Mayor, Deputy Ombudswoman, members of the Parliament and embassy representatives were also among the audience.