Human Shield

Directed by: Debra Hussong
When: 8:30 pm Friday April 1 2005
Where: HCC Ybor Performing Arts Theater

In February, 2003, about 300 Human Shields from 30 countries including the United States, mobilized in Iraq for what would become a futile mission to prevent an invasion.

Sixty-three-year-old Faith Fippinger was a Human Shield in Iraq from February 20 - April 26, 2003. She speaks candidly about her experience as a human shield.

Faith will attend the screening of Human Shield. She was unable to attend the 2004 Festival screening because she had been imprisoned for her actions in Iraq.

"My decision to become a Human Shield in Iraq had to do with the fact that I understand the consequences of war on innocent people who are caught between an evil dictator and the ambitions of another government," Faith says.

"The people in Iraq have already suffered terribly from wars, sanctions and of course from Saddam Hussein . I wanted to stand beside them in solidarity to help stop this war which I felt was unjust, illegal, and unnecessary."

This film has been called controversial, emotional draining and gutsy. No matter what end of the emotional scale a viewer is on, it is sure to stir discussion.

To date, "Human Shield" has been screened at the Digital Cinema Forum, Unifem "Through Women's Eyes" Film Festival, Sarasota International Film Festival, Denver Underground Film Festival, and Flickering Lights Film Festival. It has been accepted into the Tampa Bay Film and Video Film Festival and District of Columbia Independent Film Festival and the Wisconsin Film Festival.