Video Promo for Biblionet

A short video promo for Biblionet is up on my Vimeo page. The program, which is funded by a grant from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through Washington, D.C. based NGO IREX, is building a modern library system across Romania by training librarians in new technologies and delivering computers and the internet to rural villages.

On Assignment for NGOs Not For Sale and GTR

I was in Timisoara, Romania, a beautiful western city close to Belgrade for two days this past week documenting the critical work of GTR for their American partner Not For Sale. The NGOs help victims of human trafficking in Romania which is a center for the exploitation of young women in Europe. GTR runs a home in Timisoara where women can stay as long as they need to in a loving and supportive environment.

"Romania’s unique geographical position as a gateway between Europe and Asia makes it a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking. Victims of all ages are trafficked for prostitution, forced labor, organ trafficking, to be used as surrogate mothers, and into criminal rings used to steal, beg, etc. Children, women, and those of mental disabilities are particularly at-risk in Romania to be used in prostitution, pornography, as surrogate mothers, or drug trafficking.

When Romania joined the EU in 2007, border control became simplified, making it easier to traffic men, women, and children in and out of Romania. In 2009, the government restructured its lead anti-trafficking agency- leading to a significant negative impact on the progress towards combating human trafficking. No federal funding was provided, causing many NGO’s to close down or divert their focus elsewhere. Many argue Romania is left without a reliable government agency to provide direction, implement and protection for trafficking victims."

—Not For Sale

Multimedia for NGO IREX in Romania

A subtitled English version will be available soon.

Biblionet is a program that is helping to build a modern public library network in Romania. It is supported by the Washington, D.C. based NGO IREX (International Research and Exchanges Board) with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. Through the delivery of new computers to more than 1500 libraries, Biblionet is fostering free access to information across Romania. As part of the program, librarians are trained in the new technology and how to teach and introduce it in their communities.

Librarian Gabi Tintea from the village of Poiana Marului attended a regional training seminar in the Transylvanian city of Brasov with nine other librarians before IREX delivered the new computers to her library.

photography Aga Luczakowska and Davin Ellicson
sound Davin Ellicson
editing Aga Luczakowska

special thanks to: Paul Pînzariu, Ruxandra Moasa Nazare and Gabi

Stills from IREX Multimedia Shoot

I was back in the village of Poiana Marului, Brasov County, Romania last week to finish a multimedia production I am working on with Aga for IREX's Romanian program Biblionet which is building a modern library system across Romania. Click here to see more of the stills from the project.

More Work for NGO Ovidu Rom

I drove all across Transylvania last week shooting for Leslie Hawke's NGO Ovidiu Rom again. Cofounder Maria Gheorghiu made visits to the villages of Nou outside Sibiu, Rosia Montana near Cluj and Coroieni near Tirgu Lapus. Check out the full gallery here.

Shooting Multimedia for NGO IREX

Here I am shooting video and stills for the NGO IREX's program in Romania called Biblionet which is helping create a modern library system across Romania.

In the field with NGO Ovidiu Rom

This is me today photographing at the village school in Rosia Montana, Romania alongside NGO Ovidiu Rom cofounder Maria Gheorghiu. She was there as part of the NGO's effort to put every Romanian child in school by the year 2020.

New Work for NGO Ovidiu Rom

Last week I headed into Transylvania with Leslie Hawke to again document her NGO Ovidiu Rom's activities. Check out the rest of the new pictures here.

NGO Cofounder Maria Gheorghiu.

NGO founder Leslie Hawke.

Ovidiu Rom Charity Event at Ceausescu's Palace

Guests arrive.



Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu speaks to the press. Mungiu is one of the leading filmmakers of Romania's New Wave of the past few years. His film '4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days' won the Palme d'Or at The 2007 Cannes Film Festival.













Leslie Hawke in a black wig at the cocktail hour.





300 Euro a plate dinner.



Ethan Hawke with Cristian Mungiu to the right.























The after party.




On Halloween I took photos at the annual charity event for Leslie Hawke's NGO Ovidiu Rom which seeks to help put impoverished Romanian children in school. The gala took place in Ceausescu's Palace and it was simply a spectacular event with beautiful people in an amazing location. I also got to meet one of my favorite actors of all time, her son Ethan. Ovidiu Rom is doing work of the first order and I was happy to be there.