Film festival calling for submissions on human rights

The 9th annual Papua New Guinea Human Rights Film Festival is calling for submissions from filmmakers for this year’s programme.
The theme for this year’s festival is Tokaut nau long senisim tumora or speak up today to change tomorrow which aims to inspire the public to use their voices and play an active role in strengthening human rights in PNG. It is in line with the 70th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights which calls on the public to stand up for human rights across the globe.
Every year, the film festival encourages public discourse about human rights in PNG through films and interactive panel discussions and exhibitions.
United Nations resident coordinator Gianluca Rampolla said that over the past eight years “we have seen PNG and Pacific films resonating strongly with the audience”.
“Last year, the festival featured the Oscar-nominated film Tanna set in Vanuatu, which was very well received.,” Rampolla said.
There is growing public interest in the festival which offers “a great outreach opportunity to generate dialogue about critical human rights issues to galvanise a human rights movement in PNG”. Rampolla said art had the power to move people.
“Our vision is to pass on this legacy as a thriving platform to local organisations in PNG as our contribution to promoting human rights in the country,” he said. This year, the festival will travel to Madang, Port Moresby, Goroka and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville during September and October.
Last year, the festival was attended by more than a thousand people. The festival seeks to promote local films on human rights. The deadline for this year’s submissions is Aug 15.