DAKILA and its Active Vista Center are gearing up to put together the 10th edition of the Active Vista International Human Rights Festival in time for the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines. This year’s theme, Visions x Movements, marks the new chapter in the nation’s stories and the ways to move forward amidst a new Marcos presidency.
“We challenge the writing of our history and seize the way we close its pages. Our chapter is beautiful, for the chapter we write is of our struggle– to envision a nation out of darkness and to navigate in an ocean of despite-ofs, in-spite-ofs, and countless even thoughs,” Active Vista Int’l Human Rights Festival Festival Director Alex Poblete said.
In the relentless pursuit of historical truth and integrity, the Active Vista International Human Rights Festival will be having the Philippine premiere of the documentary film 11,103 by filmmakers Mike Alcazaren and Jeannette Ifurung, which features survivor stories of state-sponsored violence during the martial law years of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Interested audiences may watch the film at the festival opening on September 21, 2022.
“The price of democracy is eternal vigilance. Let’s not dishonor those who suffered and fought the dictatorship and paved the way for our hard-earned freedom in 1986. We have to fight for their truths. What kind of a nation will we be if we are founded on lies?” 11,103 Producer Kara Magsanok-Alikpala said. The screening is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis at the UP Cine Adarna. A question and answer session with the filmmakers will happen immediately after the screening.
Since its conception in 2018, Active Vista International Human Rights Festival has screened over 326 films, organized 96 forums, partnered with 577 organizations, and reached 361,025 audiences in sparking crucial conversations on human rights, history, and democracy.
Alex Poblete added, “The challenge of our time is clear. We face new battles in an old war and wield new powers from our old arsenals. The task is to march to the rhythm of a different drum—and when we hear the singing of the new songs of old struggles—we ask ourselves to revel in the vision and to dance to the movement for truth, justice, and humanity.”
This year, the fight to defend historical truth has never been more critical. Apart from theater and online screenings of human rights-themed films, Active Vista International Human Rights Festival will also be having community screenings, satellite festivals in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan De Oro, and in the US; events centered on the arts such as Politikal ang Komiks, Politikal ang Komedya, and Politikal ang Pagtatanghal will also happen in the duration of the festival from September 21 to October 2, 2022.
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