June 13 marks the beginning of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival which presents a series of films that promote social change and justice.
This is the festival’s 24th year in motion and will be presented at the IFC Center and the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City. During the festivities, a total of 20 films are set to be premiered. Eight of those films are geared towards African and the African American audiences, and tell the stories of the individuals living within those communities. Each showcase will include the feature and a post-screening panel discussion.
“Anita” a film shedding light on gender inequality in America, premieres on Friday, June, 14, 7 p.m. at the Walter Reade Theater.
“Tall as the Baobab Tree” is a film about a young girl from an African village who is sold by her father into an arranged marriage after hard times come upon the family. This film will be premiered on Sunday, June 23, 7:00 p.m. at the IFC Center
“In the Shadow of the Sun” takes you into the lives of two albino boys from Tanzania. The cameras follow their journey to increase awareness and promote change in a place where innocent people are discriminated against and often killed because of their condition. It will be premiered Saturday, June 15, 9:15 p.m. at the IFC Center, and on Sunday the 16, 6:00 p.m. at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center
“Camera/Woman” tells the story of a young Moroccan woman who struggles to find acceptance within her family and community due to her occupation as a camerawoman at weddings. This film is scheduled to show Sunday, June 16, 9:15 p.m. at the IFC Center and Tuesday, June 18, 6:00 p.m. at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center
“Born This Way” is a documentary that shows the day-to-day struggle through the eyes of four homosexual youths in the African country of Cameroon. This feature is scheduled for Friday, June 21, 9:15 p.m. at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center and Saturday, June 22, 7:00 p.m. at the IFC Center.
“The New Black” illustrates how the LGBT community is now “the new black” facing similar struggles and setbacks as African Americans did in past decades. The film will be showcased Wednesday, June 19, 7:00 p.m. at the IFC Center and Thursday, June 20, 6:30 p.m. at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center
“Fatal Assistance” documents what life is like in the Caribbean country of Haiti years after the devastating earthquake that shook the nation in 2010. Catch it Wednesday, June 19, 6:30 p.m. at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center or Thursday, June 20, 7:00 p.m. at the IFC Center.
“Deepsouth” takes a journey to visit four residents of rural areas of southern America uncovering the communities that most may not know exist. This movie is scheduled to be presented on Saturday, June 15 and Monday, June 17, 7:00 p.m. at the IFC Center.
The festival will run through June 23.
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