The 12th edition of the Active Vista Human Rights Festival (AVHRF), through its theme Espekulasyon, invites everyone to “wander together into the realm of possibilities – to imagine a future where gripping into hope does not bleed, and a better reality is within reach through arts, music, and cinema.”
Opening with a free screening of Roman Bondarchuk’s The Editorial Office – which was selected at this year’s Berlin Film Festival – on September 19 at 4PM at UPFI Film Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City, this year’s event hopes to put a spotlight on stories from the peripheries through nine satellite regional festivals, thereby taking its viewers “to see humanity not as it is but as what it could be, opening conversations through films, performances, art, and music, ushering them in a critical discourse through forums and talks that encourage in-depth reflection on a future beyond what is.”
Critically acclaimed and described as “a hell of a film and a hell of a ride,” The Editorial Office will leave viewers questioning the power of the media and the future of democracy. Seats are limited as admission is free. Reserve a spot at bit.ly/AVHRFOpening-Public.
20/20 FILM SCREENINGS
In 20/20, AVHRF is said to “bring focus to narratives of different stories at the margins of our sight to see the world in 20/20 — with an awareness of those in the peripherals, with sharpness and clarity of vision, with a depth of perception, and hopefully, through the lens of humanity.”
PANORAMA FESTIVAL EVENTS
Panorama showcases a range of human rights-themed events to present an extensive and wide-angle view of creative pursuits as tools to uphold and mainstream human rights stories. This year’s panorama includes a public gig (powered by Funkybeat and 123 Block), an art market (in partnership with Comuna and Good Intentions), cartooning workshops and exhibit (with Cartooning for Peace, Rappler, and French Embassy in Manila), a staged reading (with the Virgin Labfest), and the awarding of the Frames, the AVHRF Short Films Competition.
VIEWPOINTS FESTIVAL FORUMS
Viewpoints tackle pressing issues in our nation through a series of fora and dialogues that complement the film selections of the festival. This year’s Viewpoints zooms into the delicate theme of critical thinking and democracy in anticipation of the 2025 Philippine Midterm Elections. These fora present and dissect important issues through the lens of various voices and dynamic ways of seeing the narratives in the broader societal context and perspectives.
PERSPECTIVE: WEAVING NARRATIVES FOR CHANGE
A new addition to the AVHRF, Perspective is a series of festival events, talks, and workshops that brings together storytellers, creatives, filmmakers, artists, journalists, civil society organizations, activists, and human rights and democracy advocates to foster collaboration for the human rights cause and to weave the power of narratives with social movement strategies in driving positive social change and in shaping progressive democratic futures.
SATELLITE FESTIVALS
Happening simultaneously with the events in Metro Manila, the satellite festivals co-create the main festivals’s platforms for citizen-led actions to reclaim spaces and engage more people in seven key cities nationwide: CEBU, BACOLOD, ILOILO, CAGAYAN DE ORO, DUMAGUETE, LAGUNA, and MANILA.
The 12th AVHRF runs from September 19 to October 6, 2024. All events are free unless otherwise stated. To know more about the details and event access, follow or message DAKILA and Active Vista.
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