Peace and Type-friendship Prize for Afghanistan

International Film Festival honored the winners of 100

Filmmakers from Turkey, Egypt and South Korea were honored at the closing ceremony of the eighth 100 International Film Festival.

Public Relations 100 Film Festival, in three sections: fiction, documentary and animation filmmakers from Turkey, Egypt and South Korea were honored.

The International Prize for fiction was awarded to "the Myrak Tvnk" from Turkey for the film "Destiny"

The International Prize for Animation was awarded to "Moon Hyung Home" from South Korea for “ZIP” Animation.

The International documentary (subject of the Islamic Awakening) was awarded to "the year of Abu Bashar," from Egyptian documentary to " route that woman" film.

Peace and Type-friendship Prize was awarded to "Mirwais Rekab" from Afghanistan to "remorse" film.

Afghanistan attended with 15 films by 11 filmmakers in "The 8th 100 International film festival" in Iran.

 

Definition Of 100 Second Film :

A 100 second film is an independent movie, not an advertising trailer; it's neither a teaser nor a part of a full feature. It is maximum in 100 seconds from the beginning to the ending. It can be a fiction, a documentary or an animation. There are various fields of use for the art-industry of cinematography; It can be used for amusement, conveying sensations and feelings, messaging, information transfer, etc. Hence, a 100 second film can be a suitable medium to convey the concept message due to its nature of being short. It is possible to compare it with advertising teasers only in order to improve the cultural level of the society. briefness and creativity are the two elements that make a 100 second film noticeable and considerable. The 100 second film can be a new medium to be use in modern technologies such as cell phones, public screens and the internet. Naturally, the site of screening may pose some modifications to the structure of these films. For example, a 100 second film to be broadcast on public screens should be able to convey the intended message without enjoying the elements of sound and music. In general, the 100 second film can be considered as a newly-born medium with a great potential to affect a busy audience even for seconds and present them with a visual and aesthetical joy as it conveys its message.

SAFF Canada, Submit your film

SAFF Canada 2012 South Asian Film Festival Background

SAFF Canada takes place in Vancouver, Surrey and Abbotsford – the Fraser Valley, from October 31 to November 4. For the first time in Canada, SAFF will showcase the best feature, documentary and animation films of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives and Afghanistan.

SAFF Canada Co-Founder and Artistic Director Hannah Fisher ran VIFF (Vancouver International Film Festival) and contributes to many internationally respected film festivals around the world. Hannah is using her thirty-plus years of experience, relationships, contacts and passion for South Asian Cinema, to bring over some of the finest filmmakers and actors of the Region, for Public Forums and Master Classes. SAFF brings these filmmakers together with their South Asian-Canadian counterparts.

The South Asian community around the world has grown up, and is growing old with South Asian film. It is part of family life. SAFF Canada 2012 honours and reflects the diversity and passion that are part of the South Asian culture.

The Festival reaches out to this dynamic cross-generational community in BC and Washington State. SAFF Canada is committed to sharing our stories through film, and building social and cultural bridges with the non-South Asian community-at-large. Film brings us all together in a way that few things can.

• SAFF Canada is proud to partner with Simon Fraser University, Surrey and SFU Praxis, the Indian Documentary Foundation (London and Mumbai), NETPAC- the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (Sri Lanka) VIFF, SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival), LIFF (the Ladakh International Film Festival and the UFV Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies.
• SAFF engages students and faculty at all post-secondary schools across the Province and in Seattle/Washington State, who have Film and South Asian Studies programs.
• SAFF has invited over 7,500 Lower Mainland Grade 12 students and BC and Washington State Film students to weekday film screenings and Master Classes. Podcasts and webinars will also be available.

   The SAFF Memories Project invites film students across BC and Washington State to create and submit their own 15 minute film from edited 2-3 minute video clips. Students will interview random and selected subjects, about their memories of watching their first South Asian film. The 3 Best Films will each win a $2,500 cash SAFF Memories Project Award.

SAFF invites visitors to our website from around the world to submit their own video clip or blog post about their memories of seeing their first South Asian Film.

The SAFF Spirit of the Muse Award is given annually to internationally renowned Canadian South Asian or South Asian filmmakers whose body of work has enriched the global community with their exploration of the human condition. Spirit of the Muse honours those whose films have engaged millions and who have mentored and inspired young filmmakers all over the World.

Conversations With SAFF Legends honours South Asian and Non-South Asian Filmmakers and Actors whose films have embraced the social, cultural and historical richness of the Region.

SAFF Canada South Asian Film Festival Society is proud to welcome former BC Premier the Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, Founder and former CEO of the Dubai Film Festival Neil Stephenson, film producer Mel D’Souza, internationally respected television journalist Jas Johal, documentary filmmaker Rashmi Lamba and UFV Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies Executive Director Satwinder Bains, to our Board of Directors.

We currently have over $1.4 million in Media Sponsorship for the Festival. This includes TV, Radio and Print, Billboard and Social Medial coverage throughout BC and Washington State, where we are working with the Canadian Consulate in Seattle to promote the Festival.

The Pre-Festival general promotional audience exceeds 5 million people in BC and Washington State. Festival screenings, receptions, Master Classes, webinars and Public Forums target an audience of over 30,000.

ENTERTAIN, ENGAGE, EMBRACE, EDUCATE, INSPIRE is not just our Motto, it is our Passion.

We invite you to join us for our 5-Day Celebration of South Asian Cinema.

For Further Information Please Contact Pat Bayes

click here for form 

One filmmaker from MIRIAM FILMS owner of EUNIC Young Filmmakers Fund Call.

One member of MIRIAM FILMS is owner of EUNIC Young Filmmakers Fund Call.

From between 180 applications a Jury selected the 10 most promising film projects.

Seyyed Qasem Husseini is an owner of this program with "CHAIN" short documentary.
A short documentary about a group of kids who are working in Salang mountain and selling chains for small and big cars.

Sayed Qasem Husseini, after growing up in Sari Pul and Balk provinces, now studies in the Cinema and Fine Arts department at Kabul University. He has previously produced a short video report on carpet making, served as a sports reporter for a community newspaper, and works as a freelance production assistant.
last year his film under name "Death to the Camera" short documentary was winner of 1st AUTUMN HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL in Kabul.
Husseini is working as project manager and director of documentary film department in MIRIAM FILMS.

The film projects will be completed June 2012 and will be presented to the public afterwards. 

About EUNIC Young Filmmakers Fund 

The programme

The EUNIC Young Filmmakers Fund aims at helping creative talents and emerging filmmakers develop their understanding of the art and practice of filmmaking. Financial and professional support provided through a financial grant and workshop sessions should encourage young Afghan filmmakers up to 30 years old to realize a short film (20 minutes maximum) and to tell their stories using film as creative tool. The project should also provide networking opportunities with other filmmakers, guidance and participation in festivals. 

EUNIC Afghanistan

EUNIC is the network of the international cultural relations institutes from the member states of the European Union. They seek to facilitate cultural co-operation; to create lasting partnerships between professionals, to encourage greater understanding and awareness of the diverse European cultures and to encourage greater language learning.

The British Council, the Institut Francais d’Afghanistan (IFA) and the Goethe-Institut Afghanistan are forming the EUNIC-Cluster in Afghanistan.

All institutes look back to long time of partnership with the Afghan cultural scene reaching back into the 1960s and are now sharing their experiences with their local partners among various other projects in the Afghan National Theatre Festival and the International Documentary and Short Film Festival.

Two filmmakers with 2 films from Miriam films in The 8th 100 International film festival.

Afghanistan with 15 films by 11 filmmakers in "The 8th 100 International film festival" in Iran.

Two filmmakers with 2 films from Miriam films in this festival.

"I don`t know" Documentary short film by Seyyed Qasem Husseini and "Green Light" fiction short film by Seyyed Husseini Mousavi are two filmmakers from MIRIAM FILMS in this festival.

Definition Of 100 Second Film :

A 100 second film is an independent movie, not an advertising trailer; it's neither a teaser nor a part of a full feature. It is maximum in 100 seconds from the beginning to the ending. It can be a fiction, a documentary or an animation. There are various fields of use for the art-industry of cinematography; It can be used for amusement, conveying sensations and feelings, messaging, information transfer, etc. Hence, a 100 second film can be a suitable medium to convey the concept message due to its nature of being short. It is possible to compare it with advertising teasers only in order to improve the cultural level of the society. briefness and creativity are the two elements that make a 100 second film noticeable and considerable. The 100 second film can be a new medium to be use in modern technologies such as cell phones, public screens and the internet. Naturally, the site of screening may pose some modifications to the structure of these films. For example, a 100 second film to be broadcast on public screens should be able to convey the intended message without enjoying the elements of sound and music. In general, the 100 second film can be considered as a newly-born medium with a great potential to affect a busy audience even for seconds and present them with a visual and aesthetical joy as it conveys its message.

one filmmaker from Afghanistan in CINEMA DU REEL

One filmmaker from Afghanistan in CINEMA DU REEL

Since 1978, the Cinéma du Réel international documentary film festival has been an outstanding international meeting point, where the public and professionals discover the films of experienced authors as well as new talents, the history of documentary cinema as well as contemporary works. The festival programs some two hundred films for its various sections, screened at the Centre Pompidou, the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, the MK2 Beaubourg film theatre and several other theatres in the Ile-de- France area.

Los animales (The Animals) by Paola Buontempo ( Argentina, 8’, 2011) *PM*
Automne by Dmitri Makhomet (France, 26’, 2012) *PM*
Dochters (Daughters) by Marta Jurkiewicz (Netherlands, 23’, 2011) *PI*
Dusty Night by Ali Hazara (Afghanistan, 20’, 2011) *PM*
Earth by Victor Asliuk (Belarus, 33’, 2012) *PM*
Four Months After by Yuki Kawamura (France / Japan, 12’, 2011) *PM*
Henry Hudson and His Son by Federico Vladimir Strate Pezdirc (United Kingdom / Spain, 20’, 2011) *PM*
Kako sam zapalio Simona Bolivara (The Fuse: Or How I Burnt Simon Bolivar) by Igor Drljaca (Bosnia and Herzegovina / Canada, 9’, 2011) *PI*
Mekkege karai jol (Way to Mecca) by Asel Zhuraeva (Kyrgyzstan, 19’, 2011) *PI*
River Rites by Ben Russell (United States of America / Surinam, 11’, 2011) *PF*
Snow City by Tan Pin Pin (Singapore, 15’, 2011) *PI*

"ASHURA" Short documentary film produced

"ASHURA" Short documentary film produced by MIRIAM FILMS cinematic group.

Director of this film is Jack Somerville.

This shot documentary following Mohammad Husseini as he takes part in a highly controversial form of mourning during the Ashura procession, Kabul, Afghanistan 2011.

The film focuses on Mohammed's own deeply personal reasons for taking part, and attempts to understand the mindset he is in as he endures what is both a painful and controversial Shia Muslim tradition. 

Jack Somerville studied Documentary Film & TV at the International Film School of Wales. He has worked on content for the BBC (uk) as well as Spike TV & MTV (us).

"DEATH TO THE CAMERA" in India

More 10 Short Films from Afghanistan in Mumbai International Festival of Documentary, Short and Animation Films (MIFF) is the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Nariman Point, Mumbai.

DOCUMENTARIES - ADDICTED IN AFGHANISTAN- 78 min, 2009, Jawed Taiman An intimate international festivals and has received 4 awards.

DEATH TO THE CAMERA - ...20 min, 2010, Sayed Qasem Hossaini (A member of MIRIAM FILMS) Received the award for Best Documentary at the Autumn Human Rights Film Festival, Kabul.

DEHBORI CHECK POINT - 29 min, 2011, Hamid Alizadeh Received the award for Second Best Documentary at the Autumn Human Rights Film Festival, Kabul.

HALF VALUE LIFE – 25 min, 2009, Alka Sadat Widely screened at international film festivals and has received many awards.T

SHORT FICTIONA LETTER TO LIGHT – 15 min, 2010, Ghafar Azad Awarded at the Autumn Human Rights Film Festival, Kabul.

HOUSE NO.111 – 25 min, 2011, Aziz Deldarspacial screen to Asian film festival Mumbai 

JOYS OF FERVENCY – 32 min, 2009, Qader Aryaei .Awarded at the Autumn Human Rights Film Festival, Kabul.

SHABANA – 23 min, 2008, Mohammed Haroon Hamdard Awarded at the Autumn Human Rights Film Festival, Kabul.

PLAYING THE TAAR – 35 min, 2010, Roya Sadat Widely screened at international film festivals and has received many awards.

YOU DON'T BELONG TO THIS LAND – 24 min, 2011, Mohammad Hassani Awarded at the Autumn Human Rights Film Festival, Kabul.

ANIMATION DEATH TO FREEDOM – 3.5 mins, 2010, Mohammed Naser Hashemi 

Aid HOPE – 2 mins, 2011, Fatema Hasani 

SHELTER – 6 mins, 2006, Mohsen Hosaini 

EUNIC Young Filmmakers Fund

EUNIC Young Filmmakers Fund – Call for Applications

The programme

The EUNIC Young Filmmakers Fund aims at helping creative talents and emerging filmmakers develop their understanding of the art and practice of filmmaking. Financial and professional support provided through a financial grant and workshop sessions should encourage young Afghan filmmakers up to 30 years old to realize a short film (20 minutes maximum) and to tell their stories using film as creative tool. The project should also provide networking opportunities with other filmmakers, guidance and participation in festivals. 

EUNIC Afghanistan

EUNIC is the network of the international cultural relations institutes from the member states of the European Union. They seek to facilitate cultural co-operation; to create lasting partnerships between professionals, to encourage greater understanding and awareness of the diverse European cultures and to encourage greater language learning.

The British Council, the Institut Francais d’Afghanistan (IFA) and the Goethe-Institut Afghanistan are forming the EUNIC-Cluster in Afghanistan.

All institutes look back to long time of partnership with the Afghan cultural scene reaching back into the 1960s and are now sharing their experiences with their local partners among various other projects in the Afghan National Theatre Festival and the International Documentary and Short Film Festival.

The procedure

Young and emerging Afghan Filmmakers up to 30 years old are invited to send their application forms – please use the form attached – including a significant description of the intended film project.

Submission deadline of applications: January 21, 2012

Send your applications to

film@kabul.goethe.org 

A Jury will select the 10 most promising film projects and inform the selected filmmakers on February 5, 2012. These receive a financial grant allowing them to start with realizing their projects.

An integral part of the programme is a workshop session in April 2012 that tackle different filmmaking disciplines, both at the theoretical and practical levels. The filmmakers are offered the chance to develop their work in a creative environment; the international advisor’s guidance ranges from improving the techniques, to practical suggestions to be explored the EUNIC film project.  

The film projects have to be completed June 2012 and will be presented to the public afterwards. 

The Conditions

- Applicants should have the Afghan Citizenship and must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old

- The short film should not be longer than 20 min. It should be from the genres documentary, animation and narrative shorts.

- All participants’ film projects must be their own.

- The selected projects will be funded with 2,500 USD each. Therefore the respective filmmakers have to sign an agreement with EUNIC.

- A workshop session and a public presentation are integral parts of the project. All applicants must be available to attend workshops. Missing workshops will disqualify a participant from going forward in the process.

- Submissions made after the deadline will not be entered into the jury.

For additional information please refer to film@kabul.goethe.org or (020) 210 52 00

"Ashura" Short documentary film by Jack Somerville

"Ashura" Short documentary film

Miriam Films producing a short documentary film under the name "Ashura" (directed by Jack Somerville).
This short documentary follows Mohammed Husseini as he takes part in Tigh Zani for the first time during the Kabul Ashura 2011 procession. The film focuses on Mohammed's own deeply personal reasons for taking part, and attempts to understand the mindset he is in as he endures what is both a painful and controversial Shia Muslim tradition.
Jack Somerville studied Documentary Film & TV at the International Film School of Wales. He has worked on content for the BBC (uk) as well as Spike TV & MTV (us).

"The Glasses" Fiction short film again screening at Babur Garden

"The Glasses" Fiction short film by Seyyed Hussein Mousavi was screening at Babur Graden under name "Open Source Conference" on 18 Oct 2011 on 6:00 PM. also nearly 8 short film by afghan filmmakers was screening on this program. 

Story of this film is about two friends; one of them a boy and other one is a girl. The boy whose name is MEHRAB Finds a book full of mad and takes it home with himself. The girl whose name RAHELEH accidentally sees the book. None of them can read the book, so they go to Raheleh`s grand father to teach them how to read. The boy accidentally breaks the arm of the gather’s glasses. In order to learn reading they should fix the glasses. They try many ways which you will discover during the course of the film. 

This short film also was screening at Babur Graden under name Afghan Vision on 26 July 2011 and also it was screening on Areyana TV network on 4 AUG 9:00 PM. 

This short fiction short film was produced under a contract with Mandegar Group and CETENAGROUP for Kabul US Embassy.

  

About "Open Source Conference": 

The Regional Open Source Conference- Central Asia (ROSCCA) 2011 is a consultation of the Central Asian Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) user groups covering variety of topics around FOSS technologies, discussing public policy and fostering regional collaboration. The Conference presents research and industry papers, presentations, tutorials, thematic sessions, panels, hands-on training workshops and project demonstrations. The goals of the Conference are: Creating awareness among professionals, policy and decision makers, business leaders, technology experts, consumers and the general public on the most recent technological advancements in FOSS; Sharing updates on national, regional, and international FOSS related initiatives; Presenting country reports on FOSS developments, plans, programs, and the challenges and opportunities; Introducing innovative Free/Open Source technologies through thematic workshops and a technology exhibition; Training individuals on the up-to-date FOSS technologies through hands-on training workshops; Discussing policy issues and recommending reforms through a policy review and debate session; and Facilitating regional coordination and trade and educational cooperation in FOSS in the Central Asia. ROSCCA 2011 is organized by Open Source Afghanistan (OSA), a FOSS user-group in the country, and National ICT Alliance of Afghanistan (NICTAA), a consortium of the Afghan ICT players, in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) of Afghanistan and with support of and partnership with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) office in Kabul. Based on the International Open Source Network (IOSN), Open Source activities in Asian and the Pacific are “sporadic and disconnected”. Lack of networking translates into various different innovators undertaking their own projects without tapping into expertise that are already available, or applications that are already developed. ROSCCA 2011 intends to address the digital gap existing in our region often caused by lack of awareness, access to knowledge and resources, and the high cost of software and connectivity. The region needs to look for solutions and alternatives to address the problems and tackle the digital gap, known as the divide between those having knowledge of and access to technology means and those who do not. The Conference is introducing Open Source as a platform helping to address the awareness, access, and connectivity issues as it represents an alternative to purchasing expensive software from proprietary software vendors. FOSS also provides an exciting opportunity for developers and students of computing to use the existing software licenses and build on them and reproduce the software products of which they can be owners to sell them or distribute them free of cost. This in turn helps develop their local businesses, economies and societies. Open Source software is usually available free of cost, making it very accessible that helps minimize the ‘digital divide’ in many instances. Various people and organizations across the world are taking advantage of Open Source software today. This First Regional Open Source Conference- Central Asia will lay a foundation for continued information, knowledge, and experience sharing, networking, regional cooperation, and initiating innovative plans and programs in Central Asia. 

“Death to the Camera” in 1st AUTUMN HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL

 A filmmaker from Miriam Cinematic Productions in the 1st AUTUMN HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL

Sayed Qasem Husseini with “Death to the Camera”  short documentary film in Autumn Human Rithss film festival. 

“Death to the Camera” was produced by CS Film.

About film: A camera moves among woman working their last day on a job site. As they joke and fight – accusing each other of being prostitutes, liars, and racists – the mood repeatedly shifts between belly laughs and rage. The women are left waiting for hours for their pay by the charity that administers the cash-for-work program. As they wait, they consider what debts they’ll pay off, what food they’ll buy, and how they’ll stay warm during the approaching winter. There is lively discussion about what happens to all the aid that never reaches them, and whether Karzai is a crook or a servant of the people.

Is the camera revealing anything truthful, or simply inciting these women to present what they think ‘the other’ wants to hear – or what might get them something from the world on the other side of the camera? Who is on the other side of that camera anyway?

Sayed Qasem Husseini, after growing up in Sari Pul and Balk provinces, now studies in the Cinema and Fine Arts department at Kabul University. He has previously produced a short video report on carpet making, served as a sports reporter for a community newspaper, and works as a freelance production assistant.
Husseini is working as project manager and director of documentary film department  in Miriam Films.

THE 1st AUTUMN HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL

THE 1st AUTUMN HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL

Co-presented by Afghanistan Cinema Club and Bassa Films
October 1-6 at the French Institute of Afghanistan, Cinema Park and United Nations HQ in Kabul and Balkh University Hall in Mazar-e-Sharif

Extraordinary program of 50 Films from 18 Countries—including 32 Afghan Films Premieres

   The first Autumn Human Rights Film Festival opens in Kabul with an extraordinary selection of documentaries, feature, short and animation films from all over the world that will inform, spark debate, amaze, provoke, delight, disturb and inspire. 

For 6 days in October, AHRFF provides an opportunity for international and Afghan filmmakers to showcase their work at Kabul's most exciting festival, access a unique Human Rights film market in this region and attend informative seminars and workshops.

A co-presentation of the Afghanistan Cinema Club and Bassa Films, the 1rst Autumn Human Rights Film Festival will run from October 1 to 7 in four venues in Kabul - the French Institute of Afghanistan, the Cinema Park, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Headquarter, and at the University Hall in Mazar-e-Sharif.

50 out of more than 200 entries of the best human rights films from 18 countries ( USA, France, Swiss, India, Egypt, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, Sweden, Canada, Liberia and the UK) including 32 from Afghanistan were selected for the competition and will be screened. The selection committee was a combination of national and international filmmakers and human rights activists. Seven of the films were directed by Afghan women filmmakers.

Afghans filmmakers from Herat, Jalalabad and other regions will be on hand after the screenings to discuss their films with the audience. Question and Answer (Q&As) sessions discussing the topics addressed by the films will follow each screening. These panels will include either the film’s producer or director, or an expert on the subject matter. “These Q&A sessions are very essential as we continue the momentum as a forum for the discussion of human rights problems and potential solutions,” said Malek Shafi’i, Autumn Human Rights Film Festival Founder and Executive Director.

The 1rst AHRFF program is organized around three themes: the struggle against discrimination, injustice and violence.

“Many of the selected films demonstrate the power of traditional and new media to influence filmmaking and impact human rights. The filmmakers are increasing their impact through the use of the art of filmmaking as a dialogue and peace tool, but most importantly, to bring human rights stories to a broader audience and to the real Afghan context,” said Malek.

The festival will also connect Afghanistan current situation to other human rights stories from other parts of the world and is the only cinematographic stage to help Afghan filmmakers showcase their talent and expertise to Afghans filmgoers.

The Executive Director also added that “our festival is the first and only festival in this region that will feature films from all of over the world, but mostly from Afghanistan that go beyond the typical stories to deliver harsh truths, stunning, striking and inspiring stories that portray the human dignity but that raise voices and enlighten Afghan audiences to the plight of nations, and the dignity and courage of individuals in our world. “

The AHRF is a platform to share the works of filmmakers and artists who have unfortunately been marginalized by authority. It will present stories of lives affected by war, discrimination and injustice. These stories are of people who have resisted oppression and fought against violence to create a more humane world.

“There are about 33 human rights films festivals around the world, however, none of them are in the Middle East or Central Asian countries which are gravely affected by human rights dilemmas. There was an attempt at a human rights film festival in Bahrain but the recent revolutions in that country and other Arab nations brought it to a grinding halt.”Added Malek.

Considering all these facts, the Afghanistan Cinema Club found that a human rights film festival matches Afghan experimental cinema and from another perspective, it matches the social, political and cultural situation of this particular geographic region. The fact is, the origin of Afghan cinema is based on human rights and an open and critical film festival is a most suitable arena for Afghan cinema.

The film festival will launch on October 1 with an Opening ceremony at the French Institute for Afghanistan featuring the Afghan premiere of Iranian director Jaffar Panahi’s last short film The Accordion (2010), a story that follows two young street musicians, who have their accordion stolen from them. A keen supporter of opposition movements, Panahi was arrested in March 2010 and sentenced to six years of imprisonment along with Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof in December 2010. The two were also banned from shooting movies and writing scripts for twenty years, as well as leaving the country or getting in contact with local or international media. The film is part of a long feature project supported by the UN, gathering seven international directors around Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thoughts, conscience and religion”.

The main program will begin on October 2, with the premiere of I want horse not wife, the story of a 10 year-old Zal who wants to have a horse instead of a wife and Joined for Life, an inspiring documentary film about 11 years-old conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel. Another highlight is the animation Shelter, about a homeless child who lives under a tree and becomes the friend of a bird before the war begins to change their lives forever. Other Afghan premieres are the films Addicted in Afghanistan, an intimate and uncompromising documentary portrayal of the day to day struggles of a new generation of children addicted to heroin and the fiction film An Apple from Paradise that follows one father’s search for his son, who is a student at a religious school in Kabul. The festival will close on October 6 with another Afghan premiere of Light in the Cave, a moving film by Sayed Suleiman Amanzad and his own account of his survival against Taliban brutality in Bamyan in 1999. He was four years-old when Taliban over ran his village and starts killing people.

The documentary Sergio, a tribute to the visionary work of the dashing 55 year-old Brazilian UN diplomat and humanitarian of the highest order killed in Iraq, considered by some a cross between James Bond and Bobby Kennedy will premiere in Afghanistan as part of the non-competitive selection.

These are only a few of the many shorts, documentaries and feature films you may enjoy. We enthusiastically welcome your attendance and urge your involvement.

We look forward to your presence at our 1st Autumn Human Rights Film Festival!

Where would a festival be without its Seminars and Workshops?
This coming week, the festival will have a 5 day workshop and seminars, one of AHRF’s best platforms for filmmakers to promote their expertise and skills in the art of filmmaking within the human rights context. These workshops will be offered by a talented team of well-known filmmakers from different countries to share their knowledge and experience with the young generation of filmmakers. Workshops not only are bound to impress, but to educate both the most experienced film professionals in Afghanistan to the newly initiated.

Registration is open to every university student and film professional. For registration and more information about the workshops, you can email to workshop@ahrfestival.org or register in-person in BASA Films office on Silo road, Third Street, Kabul. There is limited space for participants; people who register late may miss this opportunity.

Festival goes beyond the borders: AHRF film screening in Bangalore
AHRF is a film festival for human rights, so it is not limited only to one country. ARHF would like to thanks Jaaga for helping us take the festival out of Afghanistan and introduce the young cinema of this war torn country to other nations. Jaaga has agreed to screen a selection of Afghan films in their space in Bangalore, India.

  We are now in the process of signing an agreement with the Afghan filmmakers for their permission to screen their films in Bangalore. This will help other nations to see Afghanistan’s reality differently than what they see on news. On the other hand, it will help Afghan filmmakers showcase their talent and expertise to the world.

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