Australia's first ever Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF) was launched in Melbourne last Thursday November 29 with a focus on action.
Interactive action hubs and discussion forums formed an integral part of the four day programme, giving conscientious film viewers an opportunity to respond by getting active rather than walking out of the theatre feeling emotional and helpless.
Organisers of the festival – university students Evelyn Tadros and Naziath Mantoo – said their intention was not only to raise awareness about human rights issues, but also to make doing something about it more accessible.
"Australia is far behind in terms of human rights protection or awareness since we are the only democratic country without a human rights bill," said Ms Tadros.
"There's a misconception that human rights is confined to more radical type groups, people are a bit scared or hesitant to support it," she said.
"But our aim really has been to break those stereotypes. You don't have to be left or right, you just have to be a normal person, you just have to be human."
Organisations taking part in the action hubs included Oxfam, Free China, Amnesty International, Hooked – Students for Trade Justice, Liberty Victoria, Darfur Australia Network, The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Project Respect, Australian Volunteers Interernational and more.
Christine Crosby from Australian Volunteers International said she usually works with volunteers out in developing communities and it was a change to be able to advocate in the action hubs.
"We believe it's paramount that we're not just working on the ground in the community for human rights, but that we're actually advocating the work we're doing as well," she said. Ms Crosby said the festival was a long time coming. "I like the fact that it's not just talking about the issues [the film] attracts, it's talking about the positive ways that organisations and individuals can tackle those problems."
Online hub stations were also set-up with links to various human rights campaigns, which encourage participants to sign online petitions, campaign, donate and subscribe to newsletters.
The festival itself featured films and shorts ranging from local issues, to international crises.
War crimes, the plight of refugees, sex slavery, slave labour, political corruption, revolutions and uprisings, Aboriginal identity, privatisation of essential services, oppressive governments, and racial, gender and religious discrimination were among the many humanitarian themes of the 35 films and documentaries screened.
Eight of the feature films were followed by discussion forums, panelled by various experts.
One such forum followed the film, Mardi Gras: Made in China. This multi-award winning documentary follows the "bead trail" from the factory where they are produced in Fuzhou, China, to the drunken revellers of Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Director, David Redmon cleverly illustrates the contrast between consumer excess and the harsh life of the Chinese factory worker.
When one reveller was told where the beads came from he said "don't bring my conscience into this". Another lady responded with "I feel like I should take them off now".
Forum panelist, Serena Lillywhite, manager of Ethical Business Brotherhood of St Laurence addressed the moral issues raised in the film. China had one of the best labour laws in the world, she said, but it was rarely implemented.
"Although there is comprehensive ruling on maternity leave, overtime pay, minimum wages, the laws are not complied with," she said.
The HRAFF will be in Sydney on December 6 at the Chauvel Cinema, Paddington; Perth from December 9–10 at the Film and Television Institute, Fremantle.
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