HUMAN International Documentary Festival is Oslo’s largest documentary film festival that presents the newest Norwegian and international documentaries in combination with debates, talks, seminars and workshops, art exhibitions, theatre plays and more.
The festival consists of two competition programs: the Internationl Competition Program with ten new international documentaries focusing on human rights, competing for the Human Rights Human Wrongs Award and the Norwegian Competition Program with ten new Norwegian documentaries competing for the Human award. The festival program gives insight into social challenges on both a global and national level.
One great example of the International Competition Program shown at the festival is "As I want- What does it mean to be a woman in the Middle East today?" In 2013, thousands of people took to the streets of Egypt again, on the second anniversary of the uprising that led to the removal of Hosni Mubarak. The demonstrations were marked by widespread sexual abuse, harassment and violence against women. Palestinian-born director Alqadi examines the events that day, and with the help of archival material and heartbreaking testimonies, she discusses what it means to be a woman in the Middle East today. Alqadi looks at her own role as both mother and daughter in light of the patriarchal structures she has lived under since childhood, and the result is a particularly moving and powerful documentary.
Festival attendants are welcome to join the debate and raise their opinions, regardless of their background. Everyone can get the opportunity to talk with human rights defenders from all around the world, discuss with social scientists, politicians and journalists, as well as other participants.
The festival is held between 28 February and 6 March. More information about the festival can be found here.
