“Witch Children”

in Benin

Franziskaner Helfen

For Franziskaner Helfen, we travelled to Benin, West Africa, to create fundraising films, photo reports and a short documentary about so-called “witch children.”

In some parts of the country, there is still a belief that children with disabilities, developmental disorders, or certain physical traits are possessed by evil spirits. Many of these children face rejection, violence, ritual killing, or are cast out from their families.

Our task was to make the work of local partners and Franciscan missionaries visible. People who provide these children with protection, education, and a new perspective. On site, we produced a series of sensitive portraits, documentary footage, and a film that tells the stories behind the images.

This project was part of a larger fundraising campaign aimed at enabling long-term support. It was important to us not to rely on clichés, but to authentically show what is actually happening on the ground – and how targeted assistance can create meaningful change.

The campaign includes the photo report, three interviews, as well as a fundraising clip with cutdowns.

 

Directors Cut

30 Sec Fundraising

Interview Auguste

60 Sec Fundraising

Interview Justine

Interview Fidèle

photo report & fundraising imagery

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photo report & fundraising imagery *

A young girl standing in a wooden doorway of a weathered house, looking out with a slight smile.
A young girl in a colorful dress stands on a small boat, holding a pole, in a water community with wooden houses on stilts.
A group of people, mostly women and children, gather in an outdoor village setting, with some sitting and others standing near a simple shelter, a dog walking in the foreground, and palm trees in the background.
An elderly African woman with dark skin, wearing a white headwrap and earrings, dressed in a colorful traditional green dress with red, yellow, and black patterns, and a white beaded necklace, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.
A group of women and girls sitting closely together inside a room with green walls and patterned clothing, some wearing headscarves, with sunlight coming in through a window on the right.
A man smiling and engaging with a group of women seated in a rustic community room, with some women holding papers, in a setting with green walls and minimal decoration.
A woman dressed as a nun sitting on a wooden bench against a green wall, holding a beige purse, with her hands clasped, wearing a black habit, a cross necklace, and a bracelet.
A young girl sitting on a wooden bench in a group, holding a pamphlet, with an adult woman behind her. Other children and adults are visible in the background, waiting or seated.
An older woman wearing a pink hijab, pink dress with gold patterns, and a green headscarf sitting on a wooden bench against a green wall indoors.
A woman in dark clothing, glasses, and a head covering, standing inside a room with green walls, handing a paper to a person outside the frame.
Three women and a young girl sitting on a bench inside a room with green walls, wearing casual clothes.
A woman sewing on a vintage black sewing machine.
Children sitting in a classroom with wooden desks in a dimly lit room, looking towards the camera.
An empty classroom with a large blackboard on the wall, a wooden desk and bench, a small picture on the wall, and a window letting in natural light.
A young girl walking barefoot on a dirt street, holding a sandal in her hand, with a worn house in the background.
Group of children gathered together, some raising their hands, with one girl wearing a yellow headscarf and clothing, in a dark setting.
A young boy stands on grass with his arms raised above his head, sunlight shining from behind, in a park or garden setting.
Group of young African children inside a vehicle, some making peace signs, with one girl in the center looking out.
A smiling woman dressed as a nun outdoors, wearing a beige habit and a crucifix necklace.
A nun dressed in beige robes with a cross necklace standing outside on dusty ground, with a large building in the background and another nun walking away.
Inside a rustic kitchen with a large window showing greenery outside. The kitchen has a wooden countertop with various kitchen utensils, pots, and a bag stored underneath. Several jars with lids are in the foreground, and a few fruits or vegetables a
Three women cooking and smiling in an outdoor kitchen with large open window
A man standing in a lush green plant-filled area, holding a long wooden staff, wearing a black shirt.
Two boys watering a vegetable garden in an outdoor area with a concrete wall and trees in the background.
A young boy in a striped blue dress running outdoors while holding a black bucket.

Team.

 

Director, Producer & Color: Franziska Heinemann, DoP & Edit: Marco Riedl, Producer & Photographer: Alexander Draheim, Sound: Nikolaus Böll,
Client Project Lead: Lisa le Guen

Two hands handling a camera with various components and cables attached, likely on a film or video set.
Two children, a boy and a girl, are filming with a large professional video camera inside a rustic wooden and metal shed, with natural light coming from outside.
A smiling young woman with brown hair stands in a classroom with dark yellow walls, surrounded by children in beige uniforms. She is looking at the camera, with books stacked on the table in front of her, and other students partially visible around h
A group of children, some wearing school uniforms, gathered outside a building, with a person filming them with a professional video camera.
People walking on a dirt path towards a house at sunset, with one person carrying filming equipment.
A group of children and two women, one holding a camera, walking through a village with simple houses, some adults in the background, and a sign that reads 'CAPE'.
A woman and a man walk out of a large open brown gate on a dirt pathway, with green trees in the background during sunset. An attendant in a white uniform with blue accents stands near the gate.
A woman stands on a court, preparing to hit a volleyball, with a young boy running towards her. There is a basketball hoop nearby, and a building with windows and plants in the background, surrounded by a concrete fence.