Everyone invited to participate in the competition and follow the process

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has launched on October 3, 2023 a short film and photography competition in preparation for its Annual Human Rights Film Festival which the Commission has been organizing since 2021. This year’s competition invites entries highlighting the right to life and the right to adequate housing, both of which were raised as key areas of concern in EHRC’s second Annual Ethiopia Human Rights Situation Report. The competition will stay open until November 3, 2023.

EHRC’s Annual Human Rights Film Festival is a reminder of the power of arts to contribute the Commission’s vision of a “human rights culture in Ethiopia” and the interconnectedness of arts and human rights. The festival aims to be a platform of great importance for participating artists and national and international institutions working in the fields of human rights. Notably, this year’s edition marks a significant milestone by introducing a competitive selection of films and incorporating one more artistic discipline in the festival. The event aims to demonstrate incremental progress each year, in the diversity and number of artistic categories represented, the quality of the organization, the number and geographical coverage of the venues in which it is held, the diversity of its audiences and their contribution to human rights, and the diversity of languages and communities showcased.

The photography competition is open to both amateurs and professionals and is focused on the right to adequate housing. The short film competition, centers on the right to life and comprises two categories: a mobile short film (up to 9 minutes) category where both amateurs and professionals can take part and a second category for either documentary or fictional work open to professionals, with a maximum duration of 25 minutes.

Various types of recognition awards are prepared for all participants in all the competition categories. In addition, photography category winners of the first, second, and third place will receive 40,000, 30,000 and 20,000 Birr respectively. First to third-place winners in the mobile films category will receive 50,000, 40,000 and 30,000 Birr respectively. 150,000, 120,000 and 100,000 Birr will be awarded to first through third place winners in the short documentary/fiction category. (For more information about the competition, please click here.)

The competition offers participants a platform to showcase artworks that explore thought-provoking questions about the right to adequate housing and the right to life. Through the power of artistic expression, the competition seeks to illuminate the lived experiences behind the respect or the violation of these rights, that stimulate dialogue, raise awareness, and foster a deeper understanding about these rights. Entries that feature people who require special attention, such as children, women, older persons, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and refugees, will receive special recognition and cash bonus rewards.

The competition is open to all sectors and institutions, including government and non-government organizations, media and communication organizations, civil society organizations, training and education institutions, and individuals associated with these institutions, such as students, teachers, and trainers. Technical requirements have been simplified to ensure the widest possible participation and inclusiveness.

EHRC’s Chief Commissioner Dr. Daniel Bekele, recalling his opening remarks at the 2^nd Annual Human Rights Film Festival, in which he emphasized the power of art to help us look inward, remind us of our unity and humanity and teach us to respect and love one another and the role of platforms like the Human Rights Film Festival in encouraging artists to create a better vision and work towards a common goal. Extending a warm invitation, he added “The Commission strongly encourages everyone, especially the youth and art professionals, including those who plan to pursue a career in the arts, to participate in this competition.”

For more information about the film festival and competition, please click here.

Candidates who meet the criteria can submit their artworks between October 3, 2023, and November 3, 2023, with the attached form, through filmfest@ehrc.org or submit them in person at the Commission offices in Addis Ababa, Asosa, Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Gambella, Jijiga, Jimma, Mekele, and Samara.