FreedomFilmFest: Switch on people power

JOHOR BAHRU – the protection of basic human rights is the foundation for genuine justice, peace, equality and democracy.

The banner for this year's FreedomFilmFestival
The banner for this year’s FreedomFilmFestival (FFF)

The FreedomFilmFestival (FFF) will be screening four interesting and thought-provoking human rights films at the Tropical Inn in Johor Bahru on Saturday, 7 December and tickets will be sold at RM 10 per person.

Established in 1993, with the running theme, “Dare to Document”, FFF is the most established annual human rights festival in Malaysia and showcases a variety of eye opening, daring, award-winning films that are not easily accessible on mainstream media.

The festival aims to adopt the themes encompassed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and it believes that the protection of basic human rights is the foundation for genuine justice, peace, equality and democracy.

 

An FFF 2012 winner, Rights of the Dead directed by Tricia Yeoh
An FFF 2012 winner, Rights of the Dead directed by Tricia Yeoh

 

The theme for 2013 is “Switch on people power” which has been inspired by the growing South East Asian people’s movement for change and greater democracy. It is also a call to the present leaders and government to empower the people with adequate information and to allow them to participate in decision making process on issues that affect their daily lives. It also serves as a timely reminder to the people not to relinquish their power to the elected representatives completely but to be “switched on” and involved at all times.

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M-C-M: Utopia Milik Siapa is another 2012 winner. Director: Boon Kia Meng
M-C-M: Utopia Milik Siapa is another 2012 winner. Director: Boon Kia Meng

 

This year, the festival will take place from 7-15 December wherein multiple screenings, workshops and panel discussion and forums will be held nationwide across Malaysia and subsequently in partner countries in South East Asia.

To date, FFF has produced over 20 documentaries depicting various human rights issues in Malaysia- ranging from children refugees, the history of Malaya to the state of political situation in Malaysia.

The event at Johor Bahru is hosted by ENGAGE (www.engage.org.my).

The four films which are to be shown at the Tropical Inn are:

Shattered Peace

A film depicting the Lahad Datu attacks and the people who were affected
SHATTERED PEACE: A film depicting the Lahad Datu attacks and the people who were affected

The People’s Tribunal

A film about Bersih's fight for clean and fair elections
THE PEOPLE’S TRIBUNAL: A film about Bersih’s fight for clean and fair elections

Home

A film about the homeless in the Klang Valley
HOME: A film about the homeless in the Klang Valley

Even a bird needs a rest

A group of brave women protesting against those who devicted people from their homes
EVEN A BIRD NEEDS A REST: A group of brave women protesting against those who forcefully  evicted people from their homes

 

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Activists and film makers are invited to send in their entries to FFF and the winner will win the Justin Louis Award for Best Human Rights Film of FFF 2013 and an all expense trip to attend the Liepzig International Documentary and Animation Festival n Germany.

Interested members of the public can get more information from their website freedomfilmfest.komas.org.

 

Teresa Yeo