International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights

The International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) is one of the most important international events dedicated to cinema and human rights, located in the heart of Geneva, "international capital of human rights". The inspiration and impetus behind the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights came from human rights defenders active in NGO’s, filmmakers, media representatives and the University of Geneva. The FIFDH coincides with the UN Human Rights Council’s main session. This simultaneous event makes the Festival a Free Platform for discussion and debates on a wide variety of topics concerning human rights.^[1] It was created by Léo Kaneman et co-founded with Yäel Reinharz Hazan, Pierre Hazan and Isabelle Gattiker in November 2002. Its first edition took place in March 2003.^[2]

FILM FESTIVAL With its concept « A film, A subject, A debate », the FIFDH aims to underline human rights violations through films and debates, in the presence of filmmakers, human rights defenders, politicians and recognized specialists. Its programme is designed to increase public awareness and inspire people to reinforce their commitment to universal values. In 2015, more than 25’000 visitors attended the Festival’s screenings and debates.^[3]

AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON HUMAN RIGHTS As a genuine Forum on Human Rights, the Festival informs and firmly denounces violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights wherever they occur. In the heart of Geneva, the « human rights international capital », the FIFDH is a relay for human rights defenders active on the field. It offers debates as well as unscreened films and solidarity actions.^[4]

PERSONALITIES PRESENT AT THE FESTIVAL Present at the precedent editions were, among others : Anna Politkovskaïa,^[5] Shirin Ebadi,^[6] Carla Del Ponte,^[7] Juliette Binoche,^[8] William Hurt,^[9] Viviane Reding, Taslima Nasreen, Zainab Gashaeva, Leila Shahid, Stéphane Hessel,^[10] Julian Assange (par Skype) et son avocat Balthasar Garzón,^[11] Joseph Stiglitz, Robert Badinter,^[12] le Général Roméo Dallaire, Miguel Angel Estrella, Antonio Tabucchi, Alice Nkom,^[13] Luis Moreno-Ocampo,^[14] Edgar Morin,^[15] Rithy Panh ^[16] ou encore Abderrhamane Sissako.^[17]

AWARDS AND JURY The International Juries awards different Awards : the Grand Prix de Genève, the Prix de la Fondation Barbara Hendricks^[18] pour la Paix et la Réconciliation en l’honneur de Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Prix de l’Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT).^[19] the Prix Fiction et droits humains by the Barbour Foundation. The Eduki foundation and the PBI donate the Youth Awards ^[20]

External links

• Official website of the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH)

References