“The important role of the festival is the protection of human rights as the principles of democracy and their promotion through the film art,” Moldoseyit Mambetakunov, chairman of jury of the XII International festival, honoured worker of culture of the Kyrgyz Republic, film director. “This honourable event gets better every year and gathers like-minded people. And the audience enjoys it.”

The festival closing ceremony was attended by representatives of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the mayor’s office of Bishkek, international organisations, guests from 14 countries, including Dimitris Christopoulos, president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), France, Brigitte Dufour, director of International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), France, John Samuel, executive director of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Thailand, Ondrey Kamenický, director of One World International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Czech Republic, as well as representatives of Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Central Asian states, Georgia, and Russia.

The winners in ten nominations were announced and awarded at the closing ceremony. The Grand Prix of the XII film festival was awarded to the film “Landfill Harmonic” (Paraguay/Brazil/Norway/USA).

“The world sends us garbage. We send back music!”, Fabio Chavez, director of the first in the world orchestra made out of recycled trash, said. In a small town of Paraguay, Fabio and his friend solve environmental problems with the help of music. Piles of trash in the town became material for new instruments and an opportunity for teenagers to play such instruments. Music unites and inspires the town.
1

See the list of winning films attached to the press release.

Within a week 24 documentary films were shown for free in the cinemas in all city districts thanks to the support of the mayor’s office of Bishkek. The films were watched by large audiences that took part in discussions with film-makers and asked questions about the issues raised in the films.

“After twelve years of work, the team and volunteers of the festival saw active, caring viewers who were inspired by
documentaries shown during the Fest-2018,” said Tolekan Ismailova, head of Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan human rights movement.

“The people were open and wishing to change their lives and their environment for the better.”

It’s remarkable, she continued, that officials responsible
for various social, cultural and economic rights of the Kyrgyzstanis attended the event and delivered their speeches. For example, the member of Zhogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Aida Kasymalieva, vice prime minister and chairman of the National Human Rights Council Mr. Razzakov, and other high-profile
guests and experts.

1 See the Grand Prix winning film here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCfJIIUgPu8

10 innovative laboratories and master classes were held during the festival in terms of sustainable development goals, whose
achievement is possible only through partnership with the government and private business, as well as through creative
approaches to solution of vulnerable groups’ problems. The labs were organised by Bir Duino in partnership with a variety of
organisations, and by results of the laboratories participants adopted a large package of recommendations and action plans
designed for the authorities and the international community.
By decision of the organising committee, the next, XIII International Festival of Human Rights Documentary Films-2019 will be dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and took effect in 1990. The Convention contains 54 articles determining children’s rights and how these rights must be secured and supported by the states. Almost all world countries have ratified this Convention by promising to respect all the rights and freedoms set forth in this international document.

For information: The international festival of human rights documentary film is an active civic platform that has been raising key issues of rights and liberties in a changing world since 2007.

This is a unique festival in Central Asia that provides a great opportunity to discuss documentary truth in the human rights sphere by involving filmmakers from different countries. This is a unique festival in Central Asia that provides a great opportunity to discuss documentary truth in the human rights sphere by involving filmmakers from different countries.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which 70th anniversary is being celebrated this year, was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 19482
. This document declares interdependence of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights that every person has.

For more information please see: www.birduino.kg 
https://www.facebook.com/birduinofest/? notif_id=1540181629171346¬if_t=page_admin&ref=notif E-mail: birduinokyrgyzstan@gmail.com Tel: +996312 383330