Human Rights Watch London returns for 28th edition

Festival highlights role of youth

by Amber Wilkinson

The Human Rights Watch Film Festival returns to London for its 28th edition from March 18 to 24 with screenings at The Barbican and Rich Mix.

Most of the films at the festival will also be available to stream online across the UK and Ireland. The festival will open with documentary Mediha, which charts the story of a teeanger, who has been held captive by ISIS, as she uses video diaries to chart her attempts to move forward and secure justice. It will close with Summer Qamp shot at Camp fYrefly in the forests of Alberta, Canada, where LGBTQ+ teens explore their authentic selves, make friends, and build community - far away from the fierce political battle being waged against them.

This year’s festival celebrates the convergence of art and human rights and highlights the role of youth in rising up to confront systems of power.

John Biaggi, director of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, said: “This year our programme of seven documentaries and three dramas spotlights the energy and determination of young people, art and human rights and opposing systems of power - told through the lens of women and girls, queer and trans youth, Indigenous environmental activists and exiled artists.”

Five of the films will be audio described and play with captions, with live-transcription for the conversations to follow. In addition, the festival has several ticketing options for audience members for whom cost is a barrier.

Read more of our coverage here and for tickets and further information visit the official site.

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