About Us
Founded in 2005 by Human Rights Advocate, Artist and Director Shana de Carsignac Mongwanga, ATHENA-AFRICALIVES! CULTURE AND ADVOCACY has been making films and producing plays promoting positive and tangible Social Change.

CONTACT: athenaculture@yahoo.com

AND            sha_nabe@yahoo.com



WEBSITES: https://athena-africalives.weebly.com/  

                       https://shanadecarsignac.weebly.com/  





IMBD   http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3322073/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

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British Film Institute  http://explore.bfi.org.uk/50c3076fc7bcd

In response to a growing frustration and lack of tackling root causes of refugee issues, she founded AFRICALIVES! which has now grown into ATHENA-AFRICALIVES! CULTURE AND ADVOCACY https://athena-africalives.weebly.com/ to tacle issues from universal perspectives. ATHENA-AFRICALIVES! strived to challenge stereotypes about  developing countries particularly Africa, often portrayed as un-resourceful,  dying continent  and the perpetual victimisation of African women. ATHENA-AFRICALIVES! was dedicated to projects encouraging positive social change using Films, Theatre and Art. We continue this work with ATHENA CULTURE AND ADVOCACY  https://athena-africalives.weebly.com/ 



-2005 she founded the  AFRICA LIVES! PRODUCTIONS which has been making films for Charities and  and Companies promoting Social Change.  



-2009, the organisation included AFRICALIVES! THEATRE to pursue the work of her by Belgian based theatre "Compagnie Théatrale Ebene et Ivoire".  



-2010 it included AFRICALIVES! ART to showcase and support artwork from emerging artists from African background who are often absent on the world stage, although their works and influence are undeniable. 



-In 2012 the organisation launched AFRICALIVES! NETWORKS in response to the growing need to provide efficient network structure for policy and advocacy to various project development, communities and organisations at crucial times during African elections.



-Since 2017 the organisation relaunched as ATHENA CULTURE AND ADVOCACY  to tacle issues from universal perspectives using Culture and Advocacy Visit our annual International Women's day highlight. 



As a Film Director Shana Mongwanga trained with various Independent film  projects in London, such as Raindance, Documentary Filmmakers Group and Women in Digital Entertainment. On the job training includes work placement at Michael Winterbottom's Revolutions Films production company during the filming of 'A Mighty Heart' starring Angelina Jolie.. 



As a writer, she took part in the Royal Court International Writers Program. Which resulted in the play "KENZO" about knife crime in London. Other writing credits include "CONGO INDEPENDENCE", a journey through the Congolese  Independence.   



 As an Actor, she trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London, and was the recipient of Dance and drama Award in London and winner of Concours"Scenes a Deux" and performed at the Belgian National Theatre. She has appeared an collaborated in various films and theatre productions in London and Europe, particularly with Diry Market Theatre Company and Richmond Shakespeare Society.



She is an active member of various media, community platforms and women's group  to foster real and tangible change around the world.



 Read more about our work in the INTERVIEW section. 

INTERVIEWS -TV and Radio

INTERVIEWS - Magazines


SHANAde Carsignac MONGWANGA is an Artist and Human Rights Advocate who graduated in Political Science - International Relation and a Bachelor in Law - with Distinction and also works as a Director, Producer, Writer and Actor. Founder and Director of ATHENA - AFRICALIVES! CULTURE AND ADVOCACY  https://athena-africalives.weebly.com/  formerly AFRICALIVES!   


She is Congolese born, French-Belgian, English resident and was born in Bukavu, East of the Democratic Republic of Congo and is currently based in London. She has a Master in Political Science/ International Relations and is a Bachelor in Law from the Catholic University of Louvain with Distinction (Belgium).



She worked for the Jesuit Refugee Service-UK Office in advocating and lobbying and on behalf of Refugees and Asylum seekers on a National and European level.  A particular emphasis of her work included to accompany, serve and advocate for asylum seekers in communities and unlawful detention centres across Europe.  





CONTACT

athenaculture@yahoo.com sha_nabe@yahoo.com 



ASSOCIATE PARTNERS AND TEAM: Victor Esses: Director Pentti Turunen:Editor Esquase Martino: Music Composer Lovejit K. Dhaliwal: Filmmaker Maurita Van Droogenbroeck: Photographer Erik Young: Camera person Eryk Hildebrand: Camera person