Press release from HRAFF
The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF) again brings Australian audiences an abundance of remarkable human rights stories in 2011. Coming in to the events fourth year, we are thrilled to announce an impressive line-up of film, art, music, theatre, dance, forums, poetry and community initiatives that will illuminate the triumphs and plights of people all over the planet.
Chosen from over 300 submissions, HRAFF’s film component will showcase 40 of the most powerful, thought provoking and moving human rights features and shorts from both Australian and international Directors.
Hosted by Zoe Naylor, the Opening Night film, Benda Bilili!, will set the tone for the creative, diverse and poignant movies to follow. HRAFF’s film
component will take place in Melbourne from May 12 – May 22 at Capitol Theatre, ACMI, Rancho Notorious and The Esplanade Hotel.
The Art Exhibition, entitled Create the Example, runs from May 12 – May 22 at No Vacancy, Platform Art Space and Kinfolk Café and will encourage artists to move away from stereotypical perceptions of human rights to solutions and ideas that lead the way. Highlights of the exhibition will include Ash Keating, Van Tanh Rudd and Amelia Johannes.
The Rhythm and Rights music, dance and fashion event will be held at the Abbotsford Convent on the 15th May. From reggae to hip-hop, funk and soul, this event will encourage recognition and appreciation of a variety of cultures through music as well as provide a platform for both emerging and established multicultural artists. Hosted by Trent McCarthy and headlined by Tijuana Cartel, it will comprise an eclectic mix of world music, dance, fashion, street performers,market stalls, food, drink and art.
For a more interactive experience the free industry and community forums and speakers are scheduled to facilitate discussion and thought on human rights issues. Speakers include Dr. Sev Ozdowski OAM, Dr. Helen Szoke, Helen Thomas, Jeff Daniels, Spencer Zifcak and Adrian Wills.
Other highlights include the HRAFF Poetry Slam, which will stir both emotion and thought on human rights discourse and a Theatre performance, Not Just My Story, presented by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, which will challenge the generalised narrative of seeking asylum in Australia.
HRAFF’s patrons include the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, Margaret Pomeranz, Isabel Lucas, Warwick Thornton and Geoffrey Robertson QC. Following the event in Melbourne from May 12 – 22, a selection of the program will then travel to Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Alice Springs and Byron Bay.