Amnesty, Trinidad+Tobago Film Festival launch new human rights prize

Amnesty International (AI) and the Trinidad And Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) are launching a new human rights film prize, which will be awarded annually to the director of a film screened at the festival which “best highlights a human rights issue.”

The inaugural prize will be handed out at this year’s TTFF, which takes place from September 16 -30.

Both fiction and documentary feature-length films will be eligible for the prize, with the winner being chosen by a jury. The winning filmmaker will also be given a cash prize of TT$5000, whilst Amnesty and TTFF will assist the winning film in getting screened as widely as possible throughout the region.

“Talking about human rights issues, whether through films or other creative arts, is an important way to build a culture of respect for rights and encourage greater activism in the defense of rights,” said Chiara Sangiorgio, Campaigner, Global Thematic Programming at Amnesty International. 

“We are delighted at the opportunity of partnering with the ttff, whose work in developing the film industry in the region we have been following with great admiration.”

“We are honoured that Amnesty International has chosen to partner with us in spreading the message of human rights in the Caribbean,” said Jonathan Ali, the ttff’s Editorial Director. “Film is a powerful tool, and used effectively can positively influence the way people see and think about the world they live in.”