Kiwi charity helps Myanmar women out of poverty

Next year, a Kiwi documentary could be joining the best in the filmmaking business at the Academy Awards.

On the Backs of Women has won Best New Zealand Short Documentary at the Doc Edge Film Festival, making it eligible for an Oscar nod.

But it's not just about winning -- its makers say it's important to tell this particular story.

The documentary follows three Burmese women as they work to support their families with the help of Kiwi charity ADC.

"It's still a man's world, and I think women still aren't valued in the same way as men," says producer Quijing Easterbrook-Wong.

"The worst case scenario in Myanmar is the next meal or not."

Each woman has a different back story.

Khin May Yee had cancer.

"The cost of being in hospital is very costly, so I decided not to do the treatment because I feared my son and husband would be homeless," she says.

Her husband insisted she get the treatment anyway, but her family was left with almost nothing.

The solution: microfinancing.

"We support microfinance organisations in developing countries [and] help them build financial infrastructure to support people living in poverty," says ADC's Zac Colborne.

The not-for-profit organisation gives loans to women so they can start businesses.

They pay back the money slowly and with a little interest, which is then used to help others.

ADC has supported more than 3000 people and has loaned out more than $800,000.

It's a helping hand for those struggling to survive.

On the Backs of Women is showing at Auckland's Q Theatre today and Saturday.

"We really want people to watch the film and be really excited about supporting these women by investing them," says Ms Easterbrook-Wong.

"We don't make films just the sake of making films. We make them because we want to achieve something."

It's a decision these women are thankful for.

Newshub.