Mark your calendars, Ipoh! The highly anticipated Freedom Film Fest is coming to town on August 10th, with two captivating sessions at 2 PM and 7 PM at the La Salle Centre, next to St. Michael’s Institution. This is a golden opportunity for our community to engage with powerful stories that explore the essence of freedom and human rights and to celebrate the resilience of marginalised communities.
The Freedom Film Fest (FFF) is an annual event organised by the Freedom Film Network; a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting social documentary filmmaking. Since its inception in 2003, FFF has grown significantly, now under the stewardship of the Freedom Film Network, which continues to champion freedom of expression and the values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
This year’s theme, ‘Why Freedom?’ delves into the significance of freedom in a world fraught with conflict, genocide, and rights violations. The films selected for this festival showcase both local and global struggles for freedom and inspire viewers to contribute to creating a just world.
The Ipoh screenings will feature four thought-provoking documentaries:
Semangat Tinak (2024)
- Language : Bahasa Jakun | Subtitles: English, Malay
- Runtime : 20 minutes
- Synopsis : Follow Tinak, an Orang Asli woman, as she fights to protect her ancestral land and discovers the true meaning of leadership and community strength.
Age of Learning (2023)
- Language : Nepali | Subtitles: English
- Runtime : 25 minutes
- Synopsis : This film tells the inspiring story of two illiterate and elderly women in rural Nepal who return to primary school with their grandchildren, driven by dreams of a better future.
Perhimpunan Haram? (2023)
- Language : Malay | Subtitles: English
- Runtime : 20 minutes
- Synopsis : An exploration of Malaysia’s Peaceful Assembly Act and the challenges citizens and civil societies face in organising peaceful protests despite constitutional guarantees.
The Last Harvest (2024)
- Language : English, Mandarin | Subtitles: English
- Runtime : 42 minutes
- Synopsis : Generational farmers in Perak fight against eviction and for food security, highlighting the clash between traditional rights and modern legal frameworks.
Calling out Students & Youth in Ipoh, this is your chance to see how films can change the world! The Freedom Film Fest isn’t just about watching movies—it’s about understanding real-life struggles and seeing how people fight for their rights. You’ll learn about human rights, see the power of storytelling, and maybe even get inspired to make a difference in your own community. Don’t miss out on this eye-opening experience!
The screenings are free, but registration is required. Secure your spot at https://bit.ly/fffipoh2024 and enjoy a day of impactful storytelling and meaningful discussions. Let’s come together to watch, learn, and be inspired!
