Nadja Swarovski joins Films Without Borders

Nadja Swarovski has become a patron of UK charitable foundation Films Without Borders, which shares an independent partnership with The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation. 

Swarovski, of the jewellery empire, also runs production company Swarovski Films. She has been a steady supporter of Films Without Borders. 

FWB was founded in 2010 by film and TV producer Jill Samuels to work with young people in challenging communities, training them in film production.

The group’s most recent efforts include working with youth from South African townships and prisons, in partnership with The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, South Africa. 

Two shorts, The Robertson Challenge and Finding Ubuntu/Townships Heroes, from that project will be screened at the UK Pavilion in Cannes on Thursday at 1 pm.

Previously the charity has worked with teenagers from Israel, Rwanda and Palestine. 

Nadja Swarovski said: “Perhaps more than any other medium, film has the power to engage and inspire young people, no matter where they are from, sparking their imaginations and broadening their minds. So it’s an honour to support Films Without Borders in its valuable work giving young people living in difficult circumstances the chance to express their creativity and tell their stories through film whilst gaining hands-on experience in film making.”

Samuels added: “We know that Nadja - and Swarovski - will be able to take us to another level, and offer the young people  taking part in our FWB workshops an even better platform to promote their work.”

FWB’s partners include Twickenham Studios and Swiss International Air Lines.