Zoe and Tsehaye were born in Ethiopia and adopted by Lory and Sonya, a lesbian couple living in the U.S. When the girls are in middle school, Lory takes them to Ethiopia to explore their heritage. Although her same-sex partnership has been accepted within her community for over 20 years, Lory chooses to keep it a secret on their trip. In Ethiopia, homosexuality is a crime punishable by death. Helen is an orphan living with her aunt and uncle in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. When Helen, Zoe, and Tsehaye meet in Ethiopia, a strong bond is formed. Together, the two girls with two mothers and one motherless girl navigate the geographical, cultural, and emotional space of losing and finding family.
Shared Origins was produced by Elena Rue and was featured in the following film festivals:
Women and Minorities in Media, First place, Best Documentary (Townsend, MD)
London Lesbian Film Festival (Ontario, Canada)
Frameline 37,San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
Outfest, Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Side-by-side LGBT International Film Festival (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Queens World Film Festival (Queens, NY)
Oneota Film Festival (Decorah, Iowa)