This is a film still from THE 8TH (2020).

NOW BOOKING: Human Rights Watch Film Festival

Human Rights Watch Film Festival & Barbican Cinema On Demand have announced the streaming programme for this year’s online event (18 to 26 MAR 2021).

By RADIANT CIRCUS // Twitter @radiantcircus | Instagram @radiantcircus

As we wrote in our previous coverage of Barbican’s Cinema On Demand, “This could well be one of those rare advantages of the cinema shutdown as [Human Rights Watch Film Festival] normally sells out way in advance…”.

The festival devoted to docs about global human rights issues has taken to streaming for its 25th edition which includes a programme of 10 features and associated discussions with filmmakers and activists. There’s a limited number of bookings available for each film (which cost £10 each) but you have the whole runtime of the festival to watch your title.

Money-saving festival passes are also limited in supply (but give you a chance to see all 10 films in the festival for £75). Passes were still available when we posted this article, but do get clicking. You have to book separately for the FREE Q&As with filmmakers, participants and activists which will take place on Zoom most days of the festival (follow the links below).

The organisers had this to say about their programme:

“We highlight powerful and uplifting stories of those demanding justice, equality, and safety for themselves, their communities, and future generations. With a collection of films that celebrate the power of activism through mass collective movements, there’s plenty to get inspired by.”

HRWFF & Barbican

Don’t know about you, but we need a bit of that in our lives right now… Scroll down for details.

DISCOVER MORE

Quick links to the venue/box office.

This is a film still from THE 8TH (2020).

THE 8TH

d. Aideen Kane, Lucy Kennedy, & Maeve O’Boyle, 2020/Ireland

“Capturing a crucial moment in women’s rights, this is the story of how Ireland overturned one of the world’s most restrictive laws on abortion.” BOOK NOW

FREE Q&A with filmmakers & participants (18 MAR 20:30 – Zoom). BOOK NOW

This is a film still from BELLY OF THE BEAST (2020).

BELLY OF THE BEAST

d. Erika Cohn, 2020/USA

“When two brave women find a pattern of illegal involuntary sterilisations in California’s women’s prisons, they launch a battle against the system.” BOOK NOW

FREE Q&A with the filmmaker (19 MAR 20:30 – Zoom). BOOK NOW

This is a film still from A THOUSAND CUTS (2020).

A THOUSAND CUTS

d. Ramona S Diaz, 2020/USA

“Nowhere is the erosion of democracy and the power of social media in politics more evident than in the Philippines.” BOOK NOW

FREE Q&A with the filmmaker & participants (20 MAR 14:00 – Zoom). BOOK NOW

This is a film still from I AM SAMUEL (2020).

I AM SAMUEL

d. Peter Murimi, 2020/Kenya

“Samuel, a gay Kenyan man, balances duty to his family with his love for his partner, Alex, in a country where their love is criminalised.” BOOK NOW

FREE Q&A with filmmaker & activists (20 MAR 20:30 – Zoom). BOOK NOW

This is a film still from THE NEW CORPORATION: THE UNFORTUNATELY NECESSARY SEQUEL (2020).

THE NEW CORPORATION: THE UNFORTUNATELY NECESSARY SEQUEL

d. Joel Bakan & Jennifer Abbott, 2020/Canada

“There is a new spirit out there saying: 500 years of colonialism is enough. 200 years of corporate rule is enough.” BOOK NOW

FREE Q&A with the filmmakers (21 MAR 17:00 – Zoom). BOOK NOW

This is a film still from BAJO FUEGO aka Under Siege (2020).

BAJO FUEGO aka Under Siege

d. Sjoerd Van Grootheest & Irene Vélez-Torres, 2020/Colombia

“In November 2016, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the office of President Juan Manuel Santos signed the Colombian peace deal.” BOOK NOW

FREE Q&A with the filmmakers (21 MAR 20:30 – Zoom). BOOK NOW

This is a film still from A LA CALLE aka To The Street (2020).

A LA CALLE aka To The Street

d. Nelson G. Navarrete & Maxx Caicedo, 2020/USA

“A LA CALLE is a first-hand account of the extraordinary efforts of Venezuelans to reclaim their democracy from the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro.” BOOK NOW

FREE Q&A with filmmakers & participants (23 MAR 20:30 – Zoom). BOOK NOW

This is a film still from THE LESSON (2020).

THE LESSON

d. Elena Horn, 2020/Germany

“It is often said that those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.” BOOK NOW

FREE Q&A with the filmmaker (24 MAR 20:30 – Zoom). BOOK NOW

This is a film still from MUJER DE SOLDADO aka Soldier’s Woman (2020).

MUJER DE SOLDADO aka Soldier’s Woman

d. Patricia Wiesse Risso, 2020/Peru

“Magda Surichaqui Cóndor was a teenager when soldiers arrived in her small Peruvian village in 1984.” BOOK NOW

FREE Q&A with the filmmaker (25 MAR 20:30 – Zoom). BOOK NOW

This is a film still from UNAPOLOGETIC (2020).

UNAPOLOGETIC

d. Ashley O’Shay, 2020/USA

“This is a profound and necessary story ripe for a country, and indeed a global reckoning, with racial injustice.” BOOK NOW

FREE Q&A with the filmmaker & participants (26 MAR 20:30). BOOK NOW

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*THE SMALL PRINT: Opinions author’s own. // As accurate as we could make it. Apologies for any errors. Updates & corrections will be made to the online version only. // Event dates/times/formats are subject to change by the venue/organiser. Events may already be sold out at the time of posting, so please click quickly. // We try to list as many original format screenings as we can (8 to 70MM), but sometimes formats change due to age of the print, availability, logistics etc, so please check ahead with your venue if the format is your thing. // All images are used in the spirit of fair use for reporting & review – no ownership is implied or intended / unless otherwise credited to RADIANT CIRCUS as the original rights holder. We will remove any images immediately upon request – just get in touch. // We don’t filter our listings by age/certification: all readers & subscribers should therefore be 18+. // Finally, we always try to follow The Carny Code by “not screwing up anyone else’s game”, but everyone can make mistakes… If something does go wrong, we will always do our best to put it right. //.