Featured art by Bhernn Saenz. With official poster courtesy of DAKILA.
MANILA, Philippines—In today’s society where the illusion of stability and progress persist, one with sharper eyes will not be oblivious to the truth: our society is built on intertwined crises–material and ideal. This seemingly endless labyrinth of darkness has dimmed our light, even with our many efforts, as many succumb to helplessness and denial, fear, and desperation. But what if things were different?
The 12th edition of the Active Vista Human Rights Festival, through its theme Espekulasyon, invites us to wander together into the realm of possibilities–a future where gripping into hope does not bleed, and a better reality is within reach through arts, music, and cinema. By spotlighting stories from the peripheries through nine satellite regional festivals, Active Vista takes its viewers to see humanity not as it is but as what it could be, opening conversations through films, performances, art, and music, ushering them in a critical discourse through forums and talks that encourage in-depth reflection on a future beyond what is.
For in this world of uncertainties, where the future is bleak, to speculate is to resist.
DAKILA, Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism is an organization of artists, cultural and development activists, students, young professionals, and individuals creatively building a movement of heroism toward social transformation while Active Vista is a human rights education institution that strives to empower every citizen to be an agent of social change. This very vision drives an aspiration to see a society where the rights of all are upheld, and freedom to live and be is enjoyed.
The Active Vista Human Rights Festival is an annual event that celebrates rights, freedoms, and dignity. The festival has been built on the occasion of commemorating the Martial Law Anniversary in the Philippines every September.
Official Poster Courtesy of DAKILA
FESTIVAL OPENING
The 12th Active Vista Human Rights Festival (AVHRF) opens with a FREE SCREENING of Roman Bondarchuk’s The Editorial Office. Officially selected at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, this thought-provoking satire reflects the urgent realities of our nation, where truth faces off against fake news and political maneuvering.
Critically acclaimed and described as “a hell of a film and a hell of a ride,” this will leave you questioning the power of the media and the future of democracy. This festival opener is set to be screened on September 19, 2024, Thursday with registrations starting at 4PM and a 5PM program start at the UPFI Film Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City. As admission is free, reserve your spot at the limited seats here: bit.ly/AVHRFOpening-Public.
20/20 FILM SCREENINGS
Official posters courtesy of DAKILA
With its standing tradition, the AVHRF presents cinema that challenges our visual acuity. In 20/20, it brings focus to narratives of different stories at the margins of our sight to see the world in 20/20—with an awareness of those in the peripherals, with sharpness and clarity of vision, with a depth of perception, and hopefully, through the lens of humanity.
Among films in exhibition are classics and new releases in various venues, as well as short films in competition from Filipino filmmakers to Southeast Asian short films set to be showcased in the duration of the festival. Straight from the recent success of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, is the short film Tumandok by Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay, Alipato at Muog by JL Burgos, and Balota by Kip Oebanda closing the festival on October 5.
PANORAMA FESTIVAL EVENTS
Official posters courtesy of DAKILA
Panorama showcases a range of human rights-themed events to present an extensive and wide-angle view of creative pursuits as tools to uphold and mainstream human rights stories. This year’s panorama includes a public gig (powered by Funkybeat and 123 Block), an art market (in partnership with Comuna and Good Intentions), cartooning workshops and exhibit (with Cartooning for Peace, Rappler, and French Embassy in Manila), a staged reading (with the Virgin Labfest), and the awarding of the Frames, the AVHRF Short Films Competition.
VIEWPOINTS FESTIVAL FORUM
Official materials courtesy of DAKILA
Viewpoints tackles pressing issues in our nation through a series of fora and dialogues that complement the film selections of the festival. This year seeks to zoom into the delicate theme of critical thinking and democracy in anticipation of the 2025 Philippine Midterm Elections. These fora present and dissect important issues through the lens of various voices and dynamic ways of seeing the narratives in the broader societal context and perspectives.
PERSPECTIVE: Weaving Narratives for Change
Official materials courtesy of DAKILA
A new addition to the AVHRF, Perspective is a series of festival events, talks, and workshops that brings together storytellers, creatives, filmmakers, artists, journalists, civil society organizations, activists, and human rights and democracy advocates to foster collaboration for the human rights cause and to weave the power of narratives with social movement strategies in driving positive social change and in shaping progressive democratic futures.
SATELLITE EVENTS
Official posters courtesy of DAKILA
Happening simultaneously with the events in Metro Manila, the satellite festivals co-create the main festivals’s platforms for citizen-led actions to reclaim spaces and engage more people in seven key cities nationwide:
CEBU | BACOLOD | ILOILO | CAGAYAN DE ORO | DUMAGUETE | LAGUNA
Backed by festival and media partners, the 12th AVHRF runs from September 19 to October 6, 2024. ALL events are FREE unless otherwise stated.
Learn more about the details and event access, follow or message DAKILA and Active Vista.
Rank Magazine is a major media partner at the 12th AVHRF.
#AVFEST2024 #AVFESTEspekulasyon #AVFEST #FactsFirstPH #ML52
Don't Miss
September 19, 2024
September 16, 2024
