Syria: Hidden War on Women, short documentary for Channel 4 News, Katalyst Productions, 2015 As the Syrian war entered its fifth year, the pressures on displaced families caused a dramatic rise in violence against women.  But domestic abuse is a taboo subject in Syrian society, and the true scale of the problem is largely unknown.  Violence against women is the “hidden war on women” in Syria. Sharron Ward gained rare access to brave Syrian refugee […]

Syria: Brides for Sale, short documentary for Channel 4 News, Katalyst Productions, 2013. This short investigative documentary exposed the plight of Syrian refugee women who were sexually exploited, raped, trafficked and forced into child marriage in the world’s second largest refugee camp – Zaatari in Jordan.  The growing crisis of the Syrian civil war resulted in an influx of Syrian refugees across the border to Jordan – and aid agencies such as UNHCR and UNICEF […]

Israel vs Israel, observational documentary for AJ+/Al Jazeera America, Katalyst Productions, 2014. A short observational documentary profiling the Jewish-Israeli left in Tel Aviv who opposed the war and siege on Gaza.  But being an antiwar activist in Israel is dangerous. During the summer of 2014, Israeli lefties held numerous anti-war demonstrations, but were routinely beaten up, insulted and sent death threats by ultra-right wing nationalists.  Some even lost their jobs. Yoav Eliassi, also known as […]

The Circle of Hell: Tahrir Bodyguard, observational documentry, Katalyst Productions, 2013. “The Circle of Hell” was the name given to the modus operandi of Egyptian men who used dancing circles in Tahrir Square during the Egyptian Revolution to trap and then attack, rape and sexually assault women. Tahrir Bodyguard was one Egyptian woman’s answer to try and stop attacks happening during the Revolution.  Sharron Ward followed Soraya Bahgat and the brave male and female Egyptian […]

Inside Femen: Topless Jihad, observational documentary, Katalyst Productions, 2014. Sharron Ward gained rare access inside the training camp of Femen in Paris – the world’s most militant feminist activist group who have staged provocative protests across the globe by taking their clothes off in protest at the objectification of women’s bodies.  Causing controversy, derision and attention-grabbing headlines wherever they go, Femen protest about abortion rights, prostitution, the sex industry, dictatorship and religious fundamentalism – both […]

Calais: Joy in the Jungle, observational documentary, Katalyst Productions, 2015. Short promotional film profiling the work of The Good Chance Theatre which provided respite to refugees and migrants in “The Jungle” in Calais October 2015. Featuring interviews profiling two British playwrights Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson who founded the “Good Chance Theatre.” We meet the migrants in “The Jungle” and hear why they fled and why they’re prepared to die to get to the UK.  […]

Libyan Human Rights Activist Flees, BBC Newsnight Film, Katalyst Productions, December 2012. Magdulien Abaida was a secular women’s rights activist in Libya who was abducted and beaten by an Islamist militia in Benghazi, Libya and forced to flee and gain asylum in the UK.  She told her story exclusively to the BBC. Sharron Ward Produced and Directed this BBC Newsnight film. Reporter: Tim Whewell, Executive Producer: Sara Afshar, Newsnight Editor: Karen O’Connor. Nominated for The Speaking […]

Heroin: Chasing the Dragon, Strong Films/Curve Films, 2010, 57 mins An observational documentary following Cassie and Sarah, two crack and heroin addicts who underwent an intense detox programme in the world-renowned Thamkrabok Monastery in Thailand. Directed & Produced by Richard Higson, Associate Produced & DV Directed by Sharron Ward, Co-Producer Chris Armstrong.  Country of Production: UK/Thailand, English language, no subtitles. The documentary originally aired on Current TV UK June 2010. Filmed in UK & Thailand 2004. […]

Addicted in Afghanistan,  Feature documentary, Katalyst Productions, 2009, 78 mins An intimate feature-length observational documentary that explores the heart-breaking reality behind the headlines as seen through the eyes of Jabar & Zahir, two 15 year old drug addicts living in Kabul.  The documentary is an intimate and uncompromising portrayal, filmed over a year, of the day to day struggles of a new generation of children addicted to heroin, trying to find their way in the new […]