Oscar winning director Vanessa Roth brought her new film Daughters of Destiny to Sheffield Doc/Fest ahead of its launch on Netflix this summer. Daughters of Destiny follows some of rural India’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children as they grow up in the Shanti Bhavan project. The film is an exploration of poverty, discrimination, opportunity and the search for purpose. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Vanessa Roth.
A YouGov poll of 50,000 people estimates 63 per cent of voters aged between 18 and 29 supported Labour in the General Election compared to just 22 per cent for the Tories. Earlier this week Sheffield Young Labour held a rally to protest Tory proposals to negotiate with the Democratic Unionist Party to support a minority government. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Sheffield Hallam Conservatives for their perspective on the election.
Following the surprise decision of Tim Farron to step as Liberal Democrat leader, Sheffield Live! spoke to Shaffaq Mohammed, leader of the Lib Dem group at Sheffield Council. In a statement issued less than a week after the General Election, Farron said he was “torn between living as a faithful Christian and serving as a political leader” and that he should have dealt “more wisely” with questions relating to his faith during the election campaign. Farron’s views on gay sex became a subject of growing media attention as he sought to deflect questioning on the matter. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Over five hundred people took part in a rally at Barker’s Pool called to oppose the proposed pact between the Tory party and the DUP. The rally was one of many organised around the UK by Young Labour in response to Theresa’s May’s decision to negotiate a deal with the DUP to prop up her minority government. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
One of the stand out films at this year’s Doc/Fest is the story of two gay Syrian refugees competing in a pageant for the title of Mr Gay Syria. The documentary tells a story of resistance to persecution and the life-threatening situations faced by LGBT+ Syrians. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake was at the screening and spoke to Turkish director of the film Ayse Torpak.
This year’s Sheffield International Documentary Film Festival features a collection of documentary love stories, including US production For Ahkeem. Directed by Jeremy Levine and Landon Van Soest, the film tells the coming-of-age story of 17-year old Daje who is determined to turn her life around after a rough upbringing in St Louis. The film explores themes of teenage proverty, education and hope. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke with the directors at a question and answer session at the Light Cinema.
Crookes and Crosspool councillor and Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Anne Murphy, admitted she had “little sympathy” for ousted former Deputy PM and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg. Clegg has held the Sheffield Hallam seat since 2005 but was defeated at the general election by first time Labour candidate Jared O’Mara who Ms Murphy praised as a new type of politican. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Campaigners gathered at the Old Heeley Bank school to support the People’s March for Education, a three day walk from Sheffield To Nothingham promoted by the National Union of Teachers. The NUT said the aim of the march is to highlight a “crisis” facing schools and the education system. According to the Union the Government has cut school funding by £2.2 billion since 2015 and plans to cut another £3 billion by 2020. The NUT claims ninety-nine per cent of schools will suffer funding cuts. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A vigil in Sheffield’s Peace Gardens has been held to remember the victims of the attack at the Manchester Arena which left 22 dead and 59 injured. Police have confirmed that the attack was the result of a suicide bomber who detonated a homemade device as concertgoers left the venue where Ariana Grande was performing.
Hundreds of British international students have been competing in Sheffield this weekend as part of the Council of British International Students (COBIS) Games. The COBIS Games bring together british students studying at international schools across the globe for a weekend of sporting competition including swimming at Ponds Forge and athletics at the Woodbourne Road athletics stadium. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!