PNG films promoted through PNG Human Rights Film Festival

PNG films will dominate the programme of the 8th annual PNG Human Rights Film Festival 2017, featuring locally made films shot all over PNG, including from Jiwaka to Enga, to East Sepik to NCD. The films cover a variety of human rights issues from the Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, and the right to vote. Featuring footage from Manus island, the Festival opens in Port Moresby this evening (Friday, 13 October), with a screening of the film “Chasing Asylum” at the Moresby Arts Theatre. Doors open at 4.30pm. The Opening night will feature a keynote address by Minister for Justice & Attorney General, Honourable Davis Stevens, MP.
“Through the Festival, we have seen the far-reaching impact film can have in strengthening understanding of human rights issues” says Alithia Barampataz with the UN Human Rights Office who leads the Festival Committee.
“The Festival provides a platform to showcase human rights films made in PNG, and provoke the public to reflect on challenges faced by the country, and how each of us can take action to address these, in line with the Festival’s 2017 theme, “Look. Know. Act.” (Luksave na kirapim wok),” says Ms. Barampataz.
The Festival will also feature international films relevant to PNG, including Oscar nominated film, “Tanna,” made in Vanuatu, a love story, which explores the conflict between individual rights and cultural obligations.
Entry to the Festival is free and buses with Festival banners will provide free transportation to the venue provided by the Gini Goada Foundation. A Meri Seif bus will provide pick-ups from Erima (Big Rooster), Tabari Place, Vision City, and another bus will also shuttle Festival goers form the gate of the University of PNG and Vision City.
Next week the Festival will travel to the University of Goroka on Monday, 16 October to Wednesday, 18 October 2017.
The PNG Human Rights Film Festival 2017 is organized by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, The European Union, Transparency International PNG, and the University of Goroka Centre for Social and Creative Media. The Festival is made possible by a range of sponsors, namely, Oxfam PNG, UNDP, UNICEF, US Embassy, Trend Media, The National newspaper, PNG Air, Monpi Coffee, UNWomen, and JICA