Anja Strelec

For the past fifteen years, Anja Strelec has worked as an independent documentary filmmaker, TV journalist, and mentor. Her portfolio includes award-winning documentaries and promotional films screened at global festivals and broadcast on Croatian and Belgian TV networks.

Currently based in Brussels, Anja works on diverse film projects for Belgian TV and serves as a mentor for film and video schools and institutions. Her work focuses on social, environmental, and development topics, as well as audio-visual portrait storytelling.

Additionally, Anja has served as a film selector at FIFB and a guest lecturer at universities, conferences, and festivals. She holds master’s degrees in audio-visual and film production and directing from the French universities Paul Valery in Montpellier and ESAV in Toulouse, France.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE SMILES GONE

Thousands of people are leaving their homes in Nepal each year to pursue their dreams and happiness abroad. Hoping for a better life and economic prosperity, Nepali workers move to foreign countries to earn money and support their families.

However, in the destination countries, they are often mistreated and deprived of their human rights.

While the immigration wave is increasing each year, and Nepal’s economy heavily depends on remittances, the immigrants often return to Nepal in very poor health or as casualties due to the harsh working conditions.

The pursuit of a better life often ends tragically for entire families.