IBSA and the Human Rights Film Festival Lugano: a connection that promotes dialogue and reflection

Talking about human rights has increasingly become an act of resistance against indifference. At the Human Rights Film Festival Lugano (FFDUL, Film Festival Diritti Umani Lugano), stories become bridges connecting consciences and sparking hope. The eleventh edition of the Festival, which took place from 10 to 20 October 2024, offered the public a selection of over 30 films focused on inequalities and the violation of human rights.

Always committed to promoting dialogue on issues of inclusion and social relevance, also this year IBSA was one of the main sponsor of this event, with the aim of stimulating cultural exchange and reflection on critical matters for contemporary society. For IBSA, respect for the person is at the centre of every action, and supporting FFDUL means embracing a message of inclusiveness, solidarity and hope.

AN ENGAGING EVENT FOR EVERYONE

Every year, the selection of films is the heart of the Festival, the result of a collective effort by critics, journalists, international distributors and open applications. The Festival does not embrace a single theme; instead, it’s guided by global events, selecting films that reflect what is happening in the world today, also through meetings with experts, witnesses and activists from various NGOs.

This year, the Oltre Festival (“Beyond the Festival”) – that is, the container complementing the FFDUL –  expanded its programme with a series of side events that enriched the cultural offer through informal spaces and in-depth analyses, connecting the stories portrayed in the films to broader social and political contexts.

A HOPEFUL SIGNAL FROM THE YOUNGEST

Among the protagonists of the Festival are the younger generations, who participate enthusiastically in the screenings dedicated to schools. This year, one of the most touching moments was the attentive silence during the screening of Tehachapi, by director JR, which tells the life in one of California’s maximum security prisons. Over 500 students attended the event, demonstrating that no topics are too complex for young people, when approached with the right sensitivity.

“This edition – stated Antonio Prata, director of FFDUL – deeply moved us, for several reasons. We felt a real community around the Festival, seeking here a place of discovery and connection. In particular, young girls and boys participated with enthusiasm during the screenings for school audiences, as well as throughout the Festival. This aspect affects us greatly and gives us strength”.

Naturally, the Festival also included several awards:

• the Premio della Giuria per il Miglior Film (“Jury Prize for Best Film”) was assigned to sr, by Lea Hartlaub, a work that captivated the audience for its ability to explore the human condition and its relationship with power and history with originality and aesthetic rigor;
• the Premio ONG e the Premio del Pubblico (“NGO Award” and “Audience Award”, respectively) went to To a Land Unknown, by Mahdi Fleifel, a film that moved audiences with its touching portrayal of the lives of migrants and the hardships they face on their journey to Europe.

Each year, the Festival also awards the Premio Diritti Umani per l’autore (Human Rights Prize for the author) to authors who distinguish themselves in commitment and sensitivity, often engaging themselves in the first person. This year, the FFDUL gave the award to Israeli director Avi Mograbi.