ASU Human Rights Film Festival to kick off with water justice theme, reception

March 30, 2018

Incarceration. Migration. Refugees. Colonialism. Environmental destruction. Each of these themes open a window onto different forms of suffering and injustice experienced by people in the United States and around the world. Simultaneously, these experiences reveal inspiring practices and strategies individuals and communities use to reimagine and regain control of their own wellbeing.

Arizona State University's 2018 Human Rights Film Festival takes a closer look at their stories, with an emphasis on the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

Now in its eighth year, the festival, running April 6–8, will shed light on rights at risk across the globe. Over the years, the festival has built a reputation for providing memorable glimpses into the experiences of people whose rights are under attack. Films are coupled with post-film Q&A sessions so audience members have a chance to speak directly with activists and experts to ask tough questions and find ways to help.

This year’s free three-day festival will kick off Friday with films that address water pollution arising from our demand for clothing and energy, followed by an opening reception. Saturday begins with an exploration of colonialism and indigenous resilience, followed in the afternoon by a stunning portrayal of the global refugee crisis. On Sunday, themes turn back the U.S.: immigrant experiences, followed by incarceration and liberation.

The festival will continue its tradition of supplementing films with expert panelists for a variety of topics. This year, it welcomes Tracey Martin, a pioneer in creating opportunities for sustainable manufacturing practices within the fashion industry across the globe. Another notable speaker is director Ciara Lacy, whose film "Out of State" has captured the world’s attention with its depiction of over 3,000 Hawaiian prisoners who are shipped to a for-profit Arizona prison.