Documentary makers put focus on social issues
THE Irish Council for Civil Liberties today launches the Human Rights Film Awards 2012. The competition, now in its fourth year, has become instrumental in expanding discussion of human rights in Ireland. The films the event has honoured have addressed a wide range of complex and emotive subjects. Last year’s winner was Listen to Me, an inventive and disturbing short relaying the horror of sex trafficking.
An open and inclusive enterprise, in effect the Human Rights Film Awards are open to anyone willing to pick up a camera to tackle a human rights issue. The core requirements are that films must be under 12 minutes in length and should address a human rights topic relevant to Ireland. The shortlisted works are adjudicated upon each year by a panel of film artists, rights experts, and public figures. Judges have included Stephen Rea, Brenda Fricker, Kirsten Sheridan, and Senator David Norris. All five shortlisted films will screen at a gala awards ceremony in June.
