The International Human Rights Film Festival (FICDH) is an encounter around cinema organized by the Instituto Multimedia DerHumALC (IMD). Celebrating its 17th edition, it was held from May 31 to June 7 this year, in several venues in the City of Buenos Aires and one secondary venue in La Plata.
This edition centered upon the issue of gender, in light of recent mass demonstrations against femicides and the ongoing injustices surrounding our freedom to decide over our own bodies, identities and sexualities, among other concerns. This is why this year’s theme was “Our body, our territory”, taking a proactive, transformative approach to such discussion.
During an entire week, 100 films, including feature, short and medium-length as well as documentary films from 34 countries, were screened, with 24 international and 31 local guests coming together to share this experience. Our Schools Section drew to our Festival 1200 teenagers and young adults from 57 schools and non-government organizations, screening 40 short films both from our official program and from school-led initiatives in community and rural contexts from Argentina and abroad. Over a hundred volunteers worked across different areas of the Festival, showing utmost commitment and dedication.
The winner of the First Prize in the Feature Films Official Competition was the Iranian film Lantouri, by Reza Dormishian. The Spanish film Living and Other Fictions, from director Jo Sol, took home a special mention in that category.
As for the International Short and Medium-Length Films Official Competition, the Basque film Beti Bezperako Koplak (Couplets for an Everlasting Eve), made by a collective led by Begoña Vicario, was chosen the best film in its category. Special mentions went to Valparaíso, by Carlo Sironi (Italy) and Electric Man, by Álvaro Muñoz Rodríguez (Chile).
The winner of the Latin American Documentary competition was Tempest, by Tatiana Huezo (Mexico). Special mentions in this category went to The Senses, by Marcelo Burd (Argentina) and They Were Coming to Get Me, by Álvaro de la Barra (Chile).
The Audience Award, the result of the scoring by viewers who came to our theaters throughout the week, went to Breadcrumbs, by Manane Rodríguez (Uruguay), in the International Feature Films category; Cease Game, by Walter Tournier (Uruguay) in the Short and Medium-Length category; and Loneliness Square, by Maya Goded (Mexico), within the Latin American Documentary Official Competition.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the FICDH. This 17th edition celebrated a rich history of struggle, commitment, accomplishments and great satisfaction.
Once again, the staff at FICDH would like to thank all those involved in it, including directors and the amazing team of volunteers and translators for taking part in this truly transformative edition, looking forward to our next Festival.
