Video portrait human rights activist Somaly Mam
Click here for more video portraits of human rights activists attending the festival.
Amnesty International's main programme A Matter of ACT consists of ten special documentaries about special human rights defenders, impressive portraits of human rights defenders throughout the world, and their brave fight against injustice and oppression. The films 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 and the Nationale Postcode Loterij.
main programme A Matter of act
The films
A Matter of ACT offers a broad selection of ten documentaries from all over the world. Tibet in Song, The Sari Soldiers, RedLight and The 10 Conditions of Love come to us from Asia. To Shoot an Elephant and Women in Shroud paint a picture of human rights violations in the Middle East, and Women in White shows brave Cuban women. From the African continent there is Chanson pour Amine and Suddenly, Last Winter represents the European contribution to the programme. The Yes Men Fix the World, last but not least, attacks unbridled capitalism.
Click on the titles to obtain more information on these films.
The guests
A Matter of ACT has a strong focus on human rights defenders. Therefore, the activists and/or organizations portrayed in the films will be invited to the festival as guests of honour.
This year's edition will see Shadi Sadr, who received the Human Rights Defenders Tulip in 2009 for her courage in exposing human rights violations in Iran. Another special guest is Tibetan national Ngawang Choephel, former prisoner of conscience and film maker. From Cambodia comes Somaly Mam, a lawyer ranked by Time Magazine among the 100 most influential people in the world. Click here to read more about these and other A Matter of ACT guests.
Report The Yes Men
the jury and awards
An international jury, presided by Ruud Lubbers, will elect the winners of the two prizes that are awarded in this documentary competition programme.
The first Golden Butterfly, Amnesty International's A Matter of ACT Award, worth € 5,000, is for the most imposing and inspiring human rights defender/organization.
The second Golden Butterfly, the A Matter of ACT Documentary Award, worth € 4,000, goes to the director of the best film.
Other members of this year's jury will be actress Thekla Reuten and Amnesty's chairman Sandra Lutchman.
The programme day by day
The A Matter of ACT programme will start on Friday 26 March with the screening of The 10 Conditions of Love. 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.
On Saturday March 28th, a special A Matter of ACT Night will be organised to honour our guests, the human rights defenders, while the awards presentation will take place on Wednesday 31 March. Keep an eye on this web site for updated programme information.
