HRW.orgThe University of Tampa is continuing to make its mark in film by bringing the Human Rights Watch International Festival to campus this weekend.
The films that will be available for students to see are “Men on the Edge,” “Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars” and “Winter in Baghdad.”
The films are free of charge.
The films will be shown in Reeves Theater and the John H. Sykes College of Business on April 11-13.
According to Elizabeth Mills, staff assistant of international programs, the English department played a huge role in bringing the film festival to UT.
“The department of English was familiar with the Human Rights Watch organization and their annual film festival and suggested that International Programs take a look at the programs,” she said.
“When the notice went around [in the office] that they were offering a traveling festival to provide the opportunity to host selections in local venues, IPO jumped at the chance to bring the program to UT.”
According to a press release, the films that will be showing are geared at “stimulating passionate conversations about human rights and inspire new generations of human rights activist.”
“We are hoping to broaden students’ perspectives on humanitarian issues, contribute to a more globally mindful student body and inform the Tampa community of the plight of many of the world’s people,” said Mills.
The program has already been to many universities and communities around the world and supports any institution willing to host.
According to the organization’s website, Human Rights Watch is an “an independent, nongovernmental organization supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations worldwide.”
“It accepts no government funds, directly or indirectly.”
Some of the organization’s mandates are to investigate and expose human rights violations, challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights laws.
Mills said that they are hoping to generate interest in the festival.
“This is the first year we are doing this, and we hope to bring it back next year,” Mills said.
Here are the showtimes:
“Men on the Edge” April 11 at 6 p.m. and April12 at 8 p.m. in Reeves Theater.
“Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars”-April 11 at 8 p.m. in Reeves Theater and April 13 in the John H Sykes College of Business’ auditorium Rm. 134
“Winter in Baghdad”April 12 at 6 p.m. in Reeves Theater and April 13th at 8 p.m.