Director, Narrator Cinematographer: Jayshree Janu Kharpade

Executive Producer: Holly Carter

Producer: Joyce Chopra

DESCRIPTION

Jayshree Janu Kharpade (age 16) is one of 80 million tribal people fighting for an education in India. Like most girls from rural India, Jayshree never expected to get an education. Film mentor, Joyce Chopra, a pioneer of documentary film, helped Jayshree share her journey from illiterate laborer, to scholar and young activist – in this powerful story that illuminates the social and economic potential of educating girls in the developing world. When Jayshree was seven years old, her mother took her out of school so that Jayshree could stay at home to raise her four younger brothers as well as contribute to her parents’ labor at a brick kiln site. Exceptionally bright and motivated, Jayshree tried desperately, but unsuccessfully, to persuade her parents to allow her to continue her studies. Finally, four years later, Jayshree returned to her studies at the Eklavya Parivartan School.

She is now committed to voicing the importance of allowing girls to pursue an education. Jayshree’s story sheds a personal light on the immense social and economic potential of educating girls in the developing world.

mentor’s note

Jayshree’s film mentor is the renowned Joyce Chopra, a pioneer of documentary cinema whose numerous titles including the autobiographical Joyce at 34, which is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Chopra has produced and directed a wide range of award-winning films, ranging from Smooth Talk, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, to the A&E thriller The Lady in Question with Gene Wilder.

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS, has screened at over 20 international film festivals including the Nashville Film Festival, India International Film Festival, United Nations Association screening, Mumbai International Short Film Festival, won the ONE TO WATCH award at the Asian American Film Festival, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Children’s Film Festival Seattle, Adelaide Kids Film Festival and Citizen Jane Film Festival.