Youth Human Rights Film Festival to debut in Jeonju

The first Jeonbuk Saittgil Youth Human Rights Film Festival is set to launch in Jeonju, South Korea, offering a platform for young people to explore diverse human rights issues through the lens of cinema. Scheduled from September 3rd to 5th at the Jeonju Digital Independent Cinema, the festival's theme is 'Empathy, Human Side: Beside Us, Inside Us.'

Organizers received 531 submissions from across the country, with 12 films selected for the main competition and an additional 9 for a local section, totaling 21 films to be screened. These films delve into a wide array of human rights concerns, including marriage and housing issues faced by youth, multiculturalism, disabilities, the elderly, children and adolescents, labor rights, and discrimination. The festival committee highlighted the significance of examining not only the problems youth directly experience but also the human rights blind spots they observe in society.

Beyond film screenings, the festival aims to function as a youth-participatory human rights cultural platform, connecting creation, exhibition, dialogue, forums, and social action. Awards are designed not just to rank films but to encourage and support the future creative endeavors of young filmmakers. Five award categories include Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes, the Jeonbuk National University President's Award, and an Audience Award.

Preceding the festival on September 2nd, a prelude event will feature a screening of 'Act with Media! in Saemangeum - March of Birds, People,' followed by a question-and-answer session. A photo exhibition on the Saemangeum wetland, which will continue throughout the festival, will also include a signature campaign for its designation as a protected area. The festival will also host forums to discuss human rights issues and blind spots as seen by youth, alongside the local section showcasing regional young creators' works and short documentaries offering new perspectives on social issues.

“

The youth's lens captures not only their own lives but also working people, discriminated people, isolated people, people losing their homes, and nature and life. We hope this film festival becomes one where we share the questions posed by youth through film and take a step closer into each other's lives, standing beside each other.