Award-Winning Film 'The Peace Tree' Pledges to Unite Diverse Communities
         
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Sandalwood Productions Inc. in association with Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Harmony Movement have together brought out an award winning film 'The Peace Tree' which has been produced, written and directed by Mitra Sen, a Canadian award-winning filmmaker. The film has been globally acclaimed for its storyline beautifully depicted through two girls, one Muslim (Shazia Jamal) and the other Christian (Kylie Jenkins) who dream of celebrating each other's festivals namely Eid and Christmas. When they share their dreams, they are met with resistance from their parents who express their concerns. Through their struggles, they create a unique symbol - The Peace Tree, a tree that highlights the symbols from all our cultures and faiths to reflect the beauty of `diversity in unity'. The Peace Tree shares the voices of the children who try to enlighten their parents to the importance of sharing and celebrating diversity together. This 48-minute dramatic film shares the message of uniting diverse communities through rich and vibrant celebrations, thereby providing opportunities of learning to prevent the rise in conflict and promoting peace.
Originally produced for Canadian television, Sen's film shows how the two girls, instead of swapping Christmas and Eid, work together to create a Peace Tree, a decorative tree bearing symbols of many different cultures and religions, to emphasize, celebrate, and "embrace the beauty of every culture and faith to create peace in our world," according to Sen.
The film turned into a movement, when, during the course of producing it, Sen realized that she too could follow in the footsteps of her characters and create a model for a non-religious festival that celebrates people, encouraging them to interact with and accept others of different beliefs and backgrounds.
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The story of the Peace Tree evolved from Mitra Sen personal experiences working as a teacher with children who have come from all parts of the world. The film has also benefited from her experiences as an educator, where according to her each child brings a wealth of culture and unique experiences to classrooms where the children have the opportunity to share and learn from each other. Through their curious, innocent and open minds they explore and discover the world, its people and the vibrant colours of diversity that surround everyday life.

The film has been invited to 19 countries, 45 film festivals and 12 awards. The prominent among the films and awards are Liv Ulmann Peace Prize at the Chicago International Children Film Festival, The Audience Award at the Taiwan International. Children's Film Festival, the Children's International Jury Prize at the Cairo International Film Festival for Children, Best short Fiction and Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival.

The Film has triggered the creation of Peace Trees internationally and 1st June 2006 was proclaimed the Peace Tree Day by Mayor David Miller in the City of Toronto. In 2007, York Region, York Regional Police, York Region District School Boards and the City of Windsor proclaimed Peace Tree Day. The film has also triggered the creation of the Peace Tree Ambassadors' Network, Peace Tree Centres, Peace Tree Stands, a Peace Tree Garden and a Peace Tree Pavilion.

The Film has been generously supported by the Canadian Heritage, Multiculturalism Programs, Ontario Arts Council, National Film Board of Canada (Filmmakers Assistance Program), Sony Professional Media and undoubtedly Sandalwood Productions Inc.

Currently, discussions are on following the screening of the film and details on how to implement the Peace Initiative in Mumbai.

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