Social Protection Minister Amna Ally is expected to deliver the keynote address at the opening of the first ever Guyana-Brazil Human Rights Film Festival starting today. The film festival is hosted by the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) in collaboration with the Brazilian Embassy and will conclude on October 4.
GEF Coordinator, Anil Persaud, explains that the event is being hosted with the
intention of raising awareness of human rights, especially as it relates to
GEF Coordinator, Anil Persaud, explains that the event is being hosted with the intention of raising awareness of human rights, especially as it relates to vulnerable groups who are victims of discrimination, systemic inequality and injustice in Guyana and Brazil.
The event will last for five evenings, with each night focusing on a different aspect of human rights. The films would be shown at the Brazil-Guyana Cultural Centre located at 309 Church Street, Queenstown, and is open to everyone. Admission is free.
The opening night will also feature films focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights: “Painting the Spectrum – A Commemorative Documentary” and “Jessica’s Journey” produced by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) in Guyana, and “Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho” (The Way He Looks) produced by Daniel Ribeiro from Brazil.
Friday evening will focus on issues related as children’s rights, with a series of Guyanese and Brazilian short films, including animated shorts. Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring children to this special screening, which caters for all age groups. ChildLink produces all of the Guyanese short films while the Brazilian films are independently produced.
Next week the Human Rights Festival turns the spotlight on Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and women in the two neighbouring, Amazonian states.
Guyana and Brazil share a strong working relationship and aspire to continue actively collaborating to improve the state of affairs in human rights, and to eliminate prejudice and discrimination within their societies.
The Embassy of Brazil and the GEF have pledged to continue working assiduously to ensure that all persons, regardless of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or any other perceived difference, can unite harmoniously and work cohesively to ensure that each person can realise their individual human rights.
The GEF is a network of local civil groups working cohesively and strategically to achieve equal rights and justice for all Guyanese. The GEF’s membership includes non-governmental organisations, trade unions and youth groups.
The GEF was formed in May 2011 through a project implemented by SASOD with support from the European Union in Guyana. SASOD continues to serve as the GEF’s secretariat while Red Thread serves as the network’s chair.
