A Matter of ACT 2012
Click here for more video portraits of human rights activists attending the 2011 festival.
main programme A Matter of act
Amnesty International's main programme A Matter of ACT consists of ten special documentaries about human rights defenders. These impressive portraits of human rights defenders throughout the world show their brave fight against injustice and oppression. The films also show what great dangers and threats these activists have to face to do their work. In many of the countries freedom of speech, the right to a fair trial and the right to life are violated. Human rights defenders will be present at all screenings and engage in discussions with the audience afterwards.
This programme is made possible bij Amnesty International.
The films
The A Matter of ACT programme includes a selection of ten documentary films about brave men and women from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
This year the programme brings: 5 Broken Cameras. Ai Weiwei - Never Sorry, Dear Mandela, How to Start a Revolution, East Bloc Love, Putin's Kiss, Raising Resitance, Silenced Voices, Sinner's Disease en Zero Silence.
The guests
A Matter of ACT is characterized by its focus on human rights defenders. The activists and/or organisations featured in the films will attend the festival as special guests.
The portrayed activists of this year are: Ai Weiwei from China, Geronimo Arevalos from Paraguay, the Palestinian Emat Burnat, Oleg Kashin and Sasha Volgina from Russia, de Tunisian Lilia Weslaty, Gene Sharp and Jamila Raqib from the USA, the South African Mnikelo Ndabankulu, the Belarusian Sergey Jenin and Sri Lankan Sonali Samarasinghe Wickrematunge.
Click here for the web biographies of these activists.
the jury and awards
An international jury will choose the winner of the two Golden Butterflies awarded as part of this competition programme.
The first Golden Butterfly, Amnesty International's A Matter of ACT Award (worth €4,000) is the human rights price of the festival.
The second Golden Butterfly, Amnesty International's A Matter of ACT Documentary Award (worth €1,000) is attributed to the director of the best A Matter of Act film.
The programme day by day
Every day, at least one film from this competition programme will be screened, followed by a discussion, debate or Q&A session with the participation of the activist portrayed in the film and/or the film maker.
The awards presentation will take place on Wednesday 28 March 2012.
