PRESS RELEASE

02 October 2013

An Oscar-winning film featuring the work of a Birmingham charity has received more accolades in television’s equivalent of the Academy Awards.

Saving Face, which highlights the plight of acid attack victims and won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short in 2012, was awarded the Best Documentary and Outstanding Editing at the News and Documentary Emmy Awards this week in New York.

Directed by Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, it profiles two survivors of acid violence in Pakistan and follows them as they try to come to terms with their attacks, rebuild their lives and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The film highlights the work of Balsall Heath-based Islamic Help with survivors of acid violence. The charity has funded surgery as well as setting up rehabilitation and livelihood projects for hundreds of victims in countries like Pakistan, Cambodia, Uganda and Nepal.

Its work has been praised by the Princess Royal and its supporters include British model Katie Piper, who suffered third degree burns when a former boyfriend arranged for acid to be thrown in her face.

Islamic Help’s fundraising and communications director Zaheer Khan said: “This is another tremendous achievement for Saving Face and a boost for our Smiles Better campaign which helps acid attack victims.

“Its subject matter doesn’t often attract attention and while it’s rare for acid attacks in Britain, there have been one or two cases recently which have brought it to public attention and highlighted the physical and psychological devastation it can cause.

“The awards to Saving Face and the attention it brings to our work can only help those victims.”