CANNES,
France, May 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Universal
Identity Council (UIDC) today held the world Premiere for its
feature documentary "Shadows in the Dark: Our Global Identity
Crisis" at the 77th Cannes
Film Festival.
Produced in partnership with World Identity Network (WIN), the
leading nonprofit organization advocating for universal identity
rights, "Shadows in the Dark" highlights the work of UIDC
Chair Dr. Mariana Dahan at The World
Bank, as the initiator and first global coordinator of the
Identification for Development (ID4D) agenda. The documentary
offers a compelling analysis of the successes and risks associated
with this multi-billion dollar program, which celebrates its
10-year anniversary this year.
"Releasing this film to the public is a moment of great triumph
for our organization," says Dr. Mariana
Dahan, Chair of UIDC. "We spent years
interviewing undocumented migrants and refugees. Telling their
stories with the utmost care, precision, and nuance was a
tremendous responsibility, and we could not be happier with the
final result. We're proud to showcase this movie at the
Cannes Film Festival."
The UIDC was created to shine a light on one of the most
overlooked human rights in the world: Access to proof of
identity. UIDC is focused on the need for a global,
decentralized, universal ID program that provides
secure, accessible, and widely recognized forms of identification,
which are a prerequisite for participating in the global
economic and financial system.
The film's Emmy Award-winning film crew interviewed
decision-makers, technologists and human rights activists,
advocating for universal identification and responsible use of
digital technologies, such as biometrics, facial recognition and
AI.
Produced in partnership with the United Nations, the Human
Rights Foundation and Singularity University, "Shadows in the
Dark" features extensive interviews with displaced
Ukrainian and Syrian refugees recounting their experiences with the
asylum process, along with leading officials at the World Bank and
the United Nations, and the founders building new digital
identity solutions. The film likewise explores nuances
surrounding surveillance, authoritarian regimes, and biometric
systems, as well as a dialogue with a group of far-right border
advocates in the United States.
"In many ways, this film is a culmination of my life's work,"
continues Dr. Dahan. "Having been born without a birth
certificate in Soviet-era Moldova,
at the border with Ukraine, I know
firsthand how crucial identity is to the preservation of human
rights. I encourage everyone to watch the film and learn more about
this global issue impacting millions. Identity is the cornerstone
of human civilization."
To learn more about "Shadows in the Dark" go to
www.shadowsinthedark.movie
Media Contact:
Paradox Public Relations
Jack Gillespie
jack@paradoxpr.com
About Universal Identity Council (UIDC):
UIDC was formed by a group of human rights activists, identity
experts, and technology innovators with decades of experience
around critical issues tied to identification rights and
responsibilities. The Council was created to address a persistent
challenge across the world: nearly one billion people lack access
to proof of their identity.
To learn more about UIDC and support its work, visit
www.uidc.org
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SOURCE Universal ID Council