On December 7, 2017, the Karama Human Rights Film Festival in Jordan launched the Arabic translation of the handbook “Setting up a Human Rights Film Festival”. This 257-page book provides a practical guide for organizing and executing human rights film festivals, focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced by such festivals around the world.
Originally published in English in 2015, this essential resource has been translated into Arabic through a collaboration between Movies that Matter, Karama Human Rights Film Festival, One World, and the Human Rights Film Network.
Rather than providing a one-size-fits-all approach, the handbook offers a variety of real-world stories from festivals in diverse settings—from rural communities in Sierra Leone and Bolivia to urban environments in Jordan and Malaysia. It shares invaluable lessons learned from festival organizers, covering essential topics such as:
- Fundraising
- Overcoming logistical challenges
- Approaching new, unfamiliar audiences
- Dealing with censorship
- Addressing security concerns
The Arabic translation of the handbook was launched during the Karama Human Rights Film Festival’s “Must-Meet Meeting”. The book is available for free download from the Movies that Matter website and provides additional information about the English and Spanish editions. Those interested in ordering a hardcopy of the handbook can contact Movies that Matter via email (international[at]moviesthatmatter.nl), with postal fees possibly applying depending on the location.
This resource serves as a vital tool for anyone looking to set up or improve a human rights film festival, particularly in regions where these festivals play a crucial role in promoting social change and raising awareness about human rights issues.