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Launch of online portal to independent film and video on the World Bank, IMF

Contact: Zoe Young, eyes@ifiwatchnet.org +44 (0) 20 7723 2875 (mobile) +44 (0) 7931 316 970

From big budget documentary to raw campaign short via "riot porn", expert exposition and a slick anti-debt ad banned from UK TV, this new collection of critical films and videos will channel urgent images and unheard voices to a mass audience. Launched with an initial listing of 60 films to coincide with the World Bank and IMF"s 60th annual general meetings in Washington DC, these films provide the elusive 'other side of the story' about the institutions' work.

Writer and film maker Zoe Young was inspired to co-ordinate "Eyes on IFIs" by her experiences with the World Bank. She said: "The World Bank tells us it is a "knowledge bank", dreaming of "a world free of poverty". But who knows more about the causes and solutions of social and environmental problems in development - US/UK trained economists preaching from their first class conference suites, or the people at the sharp end? These films will bring the voices of diverse experts, including those directly affected by Banks' projects and policies, to audiences worldwide."

This unprecedented portal is searchable by institution, region, issue and keywords. Listings offer links to obtain copies of films, and to related materials from the IFIwatch network - providing independent perspectives on the IFIs. Selected films and trailers are available for webstreaming thanks to Exequo's open broadcast service.