In 2017 I joined the programming team of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival as part of the Screening Committee. My function is to watch a wide variety of fiction and documentary films and provide feedback to the Programming Department. What I look for are films that are uplifting and empowering. Films that are profile important, under-represented issues, even if that means they are at times different to watch.
I look for films that concentrates equally on artistic merit and human rights content, films that put an emphasis on representation, perspective, voice and gaze – who is telling this story and from what angles, films that are relevant and that can encourage discussion and make room for questions. Additionally, I look for films that take a creative approach to filmmaking
The HRW Film Festival currently screens in over 20 cities around the world throughout the year. The festival's programming committee operates out of the New York office to screen more than 500 films each year. Through a rigorous vetting process, the Screening Committee chooses approximately 40 films each year to participate in various festivals.
I watch films that highlight the outstanding work of activists around the world, presenting a broad array of urgent human rights issues beyond those that command today’s headlines. Such as migration, climate change, women’s rights, freedom of speech, global movements and journalism.
