United Nations movie society
UN Movie Society
The UN Movie Society (UNMS) is an organization affiliated with the United Nations Staff Recreation Council that hosts film-related events at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The Society uses cinema as a medium to explore themes connected to the values and work of the United Nations, including peace, human rights, cultural understanding, and gender equality.
History
The UN Movie Society was established in 2024 by Brenda Vongova, a United Nations civil servant. It was created to offer a platform for engaging with international and humanitarian issues through film.
Activities
The Society curates film screenings and discussions that spotlight topics of global concern. It collaborates with filmmakers, cultural institutions, and permanent missions to the UN to organize programs aligned with the UN's core principles.
Selected Programs
REEL COMPASSION: When Movies and the Missions Meet
In January 2024, the Society launched its flagship series, REEL COMPASSION, aimed at highlighting the role of cinema in promoting the UN’s goals. The inaugural session featured a conversation with director Christian Carion about his film Driving Madeleine, which explores themes of aging, dignity, and gender.
Shakespeare at the UN
On 23 April 2024, in celebration of UN English Language Day, the Society hosted Shakespeare at the UN, a multilingual performance event featuring Shakespearean monologues in several UN official languages and in sign language. The program included contributions from the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare's Globe, and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Notable participants included:
* Adrian Lester CBE, who performed a monologue from Sir Thomas More
* H.E. Dame Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, who delivered the welcome address
FROM GROUND ZERO
On 21 February 2025, the Society presented FROM GROUND ZERO - A UN Movie Society Global Event. The screening featured excerpts from From Ground Zero, a compilation of short films by Palestinian filmmakers. The program explored cinema in conflict zones and was followed by a panel discussion.
Speakers included:
* H.E. Mr. Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations
* Director Rashid Masharawi
Special Screening: FLOW
On 27 May 2025, the UN Movie Society, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations, hosted a special screening of FLOW, the Academy Award-winning animated feature. The event took place at UN Headquarters and featured remarks by:
* H.E. Sanita Pavluta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN
* Brenda Vongova, President and Artistic Director of the UN Movie Society
FLOW is a dialogue-free animated film that follows a group of animals navigating a catastrophic flood. The film explores themes of resilience, cooperation, and adaptation.
Collaborations
The Society has partnered with institutions and individuals such as:
* Christian Carion
* Royal Shakespeare Company
* Shakespeare's Globe
* Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Broadcast
Many events are recorded and made available through official UN platforms, including UN Web TV and the United Nations website.
Founder
Brenda Vongova is a civil servant with the United Nations and the founder of the UN Movie Society. Her career includes work in the Executive Offices of Secretaries-General Ban Ki-moon and António Guterres.
The UN Movie Society (UNMS) is an organization affiliated with the United Nations Staff Recreation Council that hosts film-related events at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The Society uses cinema as a medium to explore themes connected to the values and work of the United Nations, including peace, human rights, cultural understanding, and gender equality.
History
The UN Movie Society was established in 2024 by Brenda Vongova, a United Nations civil servant. It was created to offer a platform for engaging with international and humanitarian issues through film.
Activities
The Society curates film screenings and discussions that spotlight topics of global concern. It collaborates with filmmakers, cultural institutions, and permanent missions to the UN to organize programs aligned with the UN's core principles.
Selected Programs
REEL COMPASSION: When Movies and the Missions Meet
In January 2024, the Society launched its flagship series, REEL COMPASSION, aimed at highlighting the role of cinema in promoting the UN’s goals. The inaugural session featured a conversation with director Christian Carion about his film Driving Madeleine, which explores themes of aging, dignity, and gender.
Shakespeare at the UN
On 23 April 2024, in celebration of UN English Language Day, the Society hosted Shakespeare at the UN, a multilingual performance event featuring Shakespearean monologues in several UN official languages and in sign language. The program included contributions from the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare's Globe, and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Notable participants included:
* Adrian Lester CBE, who performed a monologue from Sir Thomas More
* H.E. Dame Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, who delivered the welcome address
FROM GROUND ZERO
On 21 February 2025, the Society presented FROM GROUND ZERO - A UN Movie Society Global Event. The screening featured excerpts from From Ground Zero, a compilation of short films by Palestinian filmmakers. The program explored cinema in conflict zones and was followed by a panel discussion.
Speakers included:
* H.E. Mr. Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations
* Director Rashid Masharawi
Special Screening: FLOW
On 27 May 2025, the UN Movie Society, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations, hosted a special screening of FLOW, the Academy Award-winning animated feature. The event took place at UN Headquarters and featured remarks by:
* H.E. Sanita Pavluta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN
* Brenda Vongova, President and Artistic Director of the UN Movie Society
FLOW is a dialogue-free animated film that follows a group of animals navigating a catastrophic flood. The film explores themes of resilience, cooperation, and adaptation.
Collaborations
The Society has partnered with institutions and individuals such as:
* Christian Carion
* Royal Shakespeare Company
* Shakespeare's Globe
* Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Broadcast
Many events are recorded and made available through official UN platforms, including UN Web TV and the United Nations website.
Founder
Brenda Vongova is a civil servant with the United Nations and the founder of the UN Movie Society. Her career includes work in the Executive Offices of Secretaries-General Ban Ki-moon and António Guterres.
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