The annual international festival of documentary films on human rights "Bir Duino" will be held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, from 14 to 18 November. According to the organizing committee's decision, the XVI film festival "Bir Duino-2022" will be dedicated to the theme: "Climate and Crises: the Situation with Fundamental Rights of Citizens, Alternatives to SDGs."

The competition program includes 22 documentaries from Ukraine, Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other countries. The films raise the most important and always sensitive topics of concern to modern humanity, which are considered by the authors through the prism of climate change and the impact of crises: from large-scale wars to the fight against coronavirus, from gender inequality and discrimination to access to a clean environment and health, as well as fundamental human right to decent working and living conditions.

The Coordinator of the Film Festival "Bir Duino" Lira Asylbek stated: "The key topic is human rights in times of crises and disasters, because during such a period of trials it is important to find alternative strategies to promote Sustainable Development Goals. This is possible only if human rights and freedoms are respected and citizens participate equally in the decision-making process at all levels of government."

 “Every protagonist wants to be heard, every one of them calls for the development of civilization to proceed without any damage and aggression. The leitmotif of each film is the idea that humanity should preserve a favorable environment for the life of all living things through wise and universal laws, and resource management should become fair and understandable," concludes Vikram Ruzakhunov, member of the Board of Directors of Bir Duino. Link for trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aBd1PWW7t8

The format of the festival "Bir Duino - 2022" is an exchange of best practices in overcoming various crises. International partners of the festival and experts like Elīna Šteinerte, elected member of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (2023-2026), former Chairperson-Rapporteur, member of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (2016-2022). Uransuzh Gambasuren, human rights defender from Mongolia, will share her experience on the new Law on Protection of the Rights of Human Rights Defenders of Mongolia. Pedro Garcia Arenas, civic leader, fighter for protection of ecology and human rights, head of Viso Mutop organization, will talk about the experience of developing dialogue platforms for various social, political and ethnic groups in Colombia. Andreas Roksen, Swedish journalist, director and producer, Ksenia Shimanskaya, coordinator of the Human rights Department of the international festival "Docudays UA" (Ukraine) will share their knowledge on promotion of human rights through art and new innovative strategies...

Master classes and laboratories will be held in thematic blocks for discussion of issues of climate security, civil and political rights, social, economic and cultural rights, the role of local citizens in decision-making processes at all levels of government, the activities of human rights defenders during crises and disasters, the fight against impunity; children's rights, gender equality and non-discrimination.

A master class will be conducted for documentary filmmakers by Ulrich Gaulke, film director from Germany representing modern German cinema. As part of the special program, Ulrich Gaulke will present his documentary "COMRADES IN DREAMS" and the audience will have a unique opportunity to ask questions and discuss the film with the director.

We will also present the film "A Thousand Cuts", about the work of an independent Philippine news site Rappler and its brave founder, journalist Maria Ressa, who was awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize "for her efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a prerequisite for democracy and lasting peace."

The film screenings will be held at the Broadway Cinema Theater in Asia Mall according to the special program.

The Documentary Film Festival "Bir Duino" is held jointly with the FIDH solidarity networks (International Federation for Human Rights), Civil Rights Defenders, Front Line Defenders, CSP (the Civic Solidarity Platform), Forum-Asia, WLP (Women's Learning Partnership), BICE (International Catholic Child Bureau), the Central Asia Labour Rights Monitoring Mission, as well as with the support of partners from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, local activists and activists from the regions of the KR and a wonderful team of the festival volunteers.

Solidarity, Dialogues and Pluralism platforms using the innovative format "Human Rights Through Art" will unite everyone at the festival, create new strategies for positive change through Art and Human Rights for the next 3 years.

Should you have any questions, please, contact us via e-mail: birduinokyrgyzstan@gmail.com

or by phone: +996312317671, +996551089099