We cordially invite you to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Human Rights Film Festival Berlin on 16 September and our Award Ceremony on 24 September 2021. This year’s festival – under the patronage of the Saudi Arabian Human Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul – will be opened by Sundance winner SABAYA by Hogir Hirori.
Berliner Union Film Ateliers (BUFA), Oberlandstraße 26-35, 12099 Berlin
We will be providing a shuttle service from S/U Hermannstraße and S/U Tempelhof to BUFA.
5.00–7.00 pm Registration
(Please bring a same-day Covid-19 test certificate or your vaccination certificate)
5.00–7.00 pm “The Art of Change” exhibition / reception
Experience our multimedia exhibition, showcasing ten outstanding artists who are taking a stand against human rights violations worldwide.
7.30 pm Opening Ceremony
Opening speech by Lina al-Hathloul, human rights activist
As Loujain al-Hathloul has been banned from speaking publicly or continuing her activism for the next three years, her sister Lina al-Hathloul, who is fighting tirelessly for her sister’s freedom, will give the festival’s opening speech on her behalf.
Opening film SAYBAYA
by Hogir Hirori
The so-called Islamic State attacked the city of Sinjar – murdering its men and kidnapping its women. Thousands are still being held captive as SABAYA (sex slaves). The men and women from the Yazidi Home Centre are their only chance to escape this hell.
9.45 pm Reception
Berliner Union Film Ateliers (BUFA), Oberlandstraße 26-35, 12099 Berlin
We will be providing a shuttle service from S/U Hermannstraße and S/U Tempelhof to BUFA.
5.00–7.00 pm Registration
(Please bring a same-day Covid-19 test certificate or your vaccination certificate)
5 - 7 pm Finissage "The Art of Change"
Experience our multimedia exhibition, showcasing ten outstanding artists who are taking a stand against human rights violations worldwide.
7.30 pm Award Ceremony
Audience Award
Honorary Award for Freedom and Democracy
Willy Brandt Documentary Award for Freedom and Human Rights
Jury: Matthijs Wouter Knol (Director of the European Film Academy), Thimali Kodikara (Mothers of Invention / Doc Society), Tatsiana Hatsura-Yavorska (Watch Docs Belarus) and Malte Mau (Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation)
Screening of the prize-winning film
9.45 pm Reception
The Human Rights Forum is a dynamic platform that aims to unleash the transformative power of storytelling. Each year during the Human Rights Film Festival Berlin, we provide a space for film- and media-makers, artists, activists, NGO workers and scholars from all over the world to discuss, create and share their stories with the world.
We foster non-fictional storytelling formats with the power to inspire, encourage and evoke, to expose injustice but also to highlight potential solutions.
Find out more and register here: LINK