MEDIA ADVISORY / PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - Girl power takes centre stage at Plan Canada's 'Girl Rising' film screening

Documentary featured at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema to mark the International Day of the Girl

TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - October 11, 2013 marks the second International Day of the Girl. This day was made possible by Canadians and formally declared by the United Nations to recognize girls' rights globally as well as support action to address discrimination and other barriers young girls face.

To mark the day, Plan Canada is hosting a public screening of the documentary film 'Girl Rising' at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto. 'Girl Rising' tells the stories of nine brave girls from around the globe who have had to overcome adversity in their lives. Narrated by leading celebrities like Alicia Keys, Freida Pinto, Anne Hathaway, and Meryl Streep, this film demonstrates how educating girls can change the world. The screening will be attended by Because I am a Girl celebrated ambassadors, followed by a question and answer session with filmmakers via Skype.

Proceeds from the screening will support Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl initiative, a global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls and everyone around them out of poverty. 'Girl Rising' screenings will also take place in other cities across the country including Montreal, Ottawa, and Calgary during the week of October 7.

We invite you to join us for this film screening at the Bloor Hot Docs cinema in Toronto.

WHO:

• Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO of Plan Canada
• Rediate Tekeste, 10x10 'Girl Rising' film team

WHAT:

• Interview opportunity: Rosemary McCarney will be available for interviews about the International Day of the Girl.
• Public 'Girl Rising' film screening
• Q&A opportunity (post-screening):  Rediate Tekeste, member of the 'Girl Rising' film team, will speak via Skype about travelling to India, Nepal, and Ethiopia for the production of the film.

WHEN:

• Date: Thursday, October 10, 2013
• Film screening: 6:00 p.m. (Doors open and Because I am a Girl pink carpet starts at 5:30 p.m.)
• Q&A opportunity with Rediate Tekeste to follow screening

WHERE:

• Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
  506 Bloor Street West
  Toronto, Ontario
• Media: Please RSVP to reserve a spot
• Tickets are available to the public for $10 at www.becauseiamagirl.ca/girlrising or at the door

For other ways Canadians can celebrate the International Day of the Girl across the country around October 11, 2013, go to becauseiamagirl.ca/dayofthegirl

About Plan and the 'Because I am a Girl' Initiative
Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan's global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls - and everyone around them - out of poverty. Visit www.plancanada.ca and www.becauseiamagirl.ca for more information.

SOURCE: Plan Canada

Media Contacts:

Dena Allen, Senior Media and Public Relations Manager, Plan Canada
T: 416 920 1654 ext 326  |  C: 416 723 6340  |  [email protected] 

Angie Torres, Media and Public Relations Specialist, Plan Canada
T: 416 920 1654 ext 244 |  [email protected]