Behind the Scenes of US Together’s Original Short Film

Norah Bagirinka, former asylum-seeker from Rwanda, sitting down for an interview with US Together

This year’s International Taste of Columbus looks a little different than it has in past years. We wanted to engage our supporters and celebrate the diversity of Central Ohio outside the computer screen after a long year of virtual meetings. To ensure the safety of our community, we are still engaging in precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We decided it would be best to gather at a drive-in movie theater, but we wanted to add more of a personal touch than just displaying a feature length film. We realized it was time for us to make our own short film to uplift several stories of migrant women in Columbus.

There are so many powerful stories to be told in Columbus alone, we couldn’t share just one. Attendees will hear from Dr. Rosaire Ifedi, Norah Bagirinka, and Tatiana Kats. New American Champion Awardee for 2021, Dr. Rosaire Ifedi, is an immigrant from Nigeria. Norah Bagirinka, Founder and Program Director of Refugee Women in Action is a former asylum seeker from Rwanda. Tatiana Kats, Founder and Artistic Director of Columbus International Children’s Choir is an immigrant from Russia.

Dr. Rosaire Ifedi and AmeriCorps VISTA member Yulani enjoying a conversation

Our communications team quickly assembled to schedule filmed interviews, create questions, and envision how to present these stories. Before everyone’s eyes, different rooms in US Together’s office transformed into sets for interviews. Over the course of two days, hours of footage were captured. Conversations between these women and US Together’s team flowed, and everyone learned a lot from each other.

While each woman’s story was completely unique, they shared the same optimism that Columbus can continue to grow as a welcoming city to all immigrants and refugees. Each conversation was special and inspiring, and we cannot wait to share this short film with all of our supporters.

We send a special thank you to Dr. Rosaire Ifedi, Norah Bagirinka, and Tatiana Kats for sitting down and sharing their stories with us. To hear from these powerful women, mark your calendars on August 26 to attend this year’s International Taste of Columbus.

A big thank you goes out to Ramone Hardy of Ramone Hardy Productions for his involvement as editor.