From 13 to 23 October 2022, the fifth Human Rights Film Festival Berlin took place – in a hybrid format, bringing powerful stories to the big screens in Berlin and to audiences at home across Germany. Under the theme Beyond Red Lines, the 2022 festival focused on people who risk everything for their beliefs – a powerful statement for human rights, children's rights, peace, and climate protection in times of war. The festival is organised by Action Against Hunger in partnership with Greenpeace and Save the Children.
The festival opened with the powerful documentary Ithaka – an unexpected and deeply moving film produced by Julian Assange’s brother, which challenges the dominant narratives about the whistleblower. The film offers an intimate portrayal of a family’s relentless fight for their son and exposes the harsh reality behind the campaign to free Julian Assange.
Honorary Patron 2022 – Filippo Grandi
In 2022, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) supported us as honorary patron. As the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, he is tasked with protecting refugees and stateless people.
HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM
As in previous years, the festival was accompanied by the Human Rights Forum, a comprehensive supporting programme featuring readings, discussions, a virtual reality exhibition, and a multi-day expert conference.
COMPETITION
The documentary Outside by Olha Zhurba won the Willy Brandt Documentary Film Award for Freedom and Human Rights in 2022. Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi was honoured with the Special Award for Democracy and Freedom on behalf of the countless courageous women protesting against the regime in Iran. The Audience Award went to the opening film Ithaka by Ben Lawrence.
IMPRESSIONS
