One World Film Festival

One World (Czech: Jeden Svět) is the biggest human rights film festival in the world, held annually in Prague and other cities of the Czech Republic. Established in 1999 by the Czech NGO People in Need, the One World Festival presents over 100 documentary films during nine days in Spring from around the world. It is a founding member of the Human Rights Film Network, which brings together 33 festivals around the world.

In 2006, the festival received a Special Mention from UNESCO for its contribution to human rights and peace education. Three years later, in 2009, One World published a handbook entitled Setting Up a Human Rights Film Festival, which offers practical advice as well as case studies of prominent human rights events.^[1]

In 2011, the One World Festival was in its 13th year and took place from 8 – 17 March, presenting 104 documentaries from more than 40 countries around the world. The festival seeks to promote the best quality documentary films on social and political issues. Furthermore, it have been held in 33 other towns and cities throughout the Czech Republic.^[1] A selection of One World films is also presented in Brussels. One World is held under the auspices of Václav Havel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg, the Minister of Culture Jiří Besser, and the Mayor of Prague Bohuslav Svoboda.^[2]

The festival brings together a passionate group of filmmakers, human rights activists and charismatic individuals that stand at the frontline of the struggle for freedom, justice and human dignity. One World has been inspiring and actively helping with the establishment of many new human rights oriented festivals in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Homo Homini

During the festival, People in Need grants the annual Homo Homini Award to individuals in recognition of a dedication to promote human rights, democracy and nonviolent solutions to political conflicts. The 2010 award went to the Kyrgyz activist, Azimjan Askarov, for his continued work in human right defense. Askarov himself was sentenced to life imprisonment last year in a manipulated trial.^[3]

One World Festival/ Jeden Sět: Homo Homini 2007 award ceremony. Vaclav Havel greets Lae Lae Nwe, a former political prisoner. Šimon Pánek, director of People in Need assists.

Winners of the Homo Homini Award^[4]

• 1994: Sergei Kovalev
• 1997: Szeto Wah
• 1998: Ibrahim Rugova
• 1999: Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas
• 2000: Min Ko Naing
• 2001: Zackie Achmat
• 2002: Thích Huyền Quang, Thích Quảng Độ and Nguyen Van Ly
• 2003: Nataša Kandić
• 2004: Gheorghe Briceag
• 2005: Ales Bialatski and the Belarussian organisation Viasna
• 2006: Svetlana Gannushkina
• 2007: Su Su Nway, Phyu Phyu Thin, and Nilar Thein
• 2008: Liu Xiaobo
• 2009: Majid Tavakoli and Abdollah Momeni
• 2010: Azimjan Askarov

See also

People In Need (Czech Republic)

External links

• One World Film Festival Official Site
• At Prague Festival, Movies With a Conscience in: The New York Times
• Movies and Prizes 2011

References

1. ^ ^{a b} http://peopleinneed.cz/index2en.php?id=517
2. ^ http://www.david-kilgour.com/2009/Mar_11_2009_03.php
3. ^ http://peopleinneed.cz/index2en.php?id=548
4. ^ "PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS OF THE HOMO HOMINI AWARD". People in Need. http://clovekvtisni.cz/index2en.php?id=549. Retrieved 18 April 2011.