HRF Co-Sponsors Venezuelan Liberty Film Festival

CARACAS, Venezuela (March 17, 2009)--The first ever Venezuelan Liberty Film Festival premieres tonight in Caracas, Venezuela. The three day event is a joint collaboration among the Chacao Cultural Center, UNA — Asociación Civil Unidad Nacional (National Unity Civic Association) — and the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), and aims to inspire, educate, and encourage discussion about human freedom.

“We are thrilled that the municipality of Chacao and UNA are so courageously devoted to the promotion of dialogue and public participation. Confronted with a government that persecutes those who oppose it, shuts down or threatens dissenting media, and employs unimaginable tactics to perpetuate itself in power, it is magnificent that Venezuelans will have a safe space to learn more about the historic struggles for human rights in Poland, South Africa, Hungary, India, Estonia, Chile, Denmark, and the U.S.,” said HRF Chief Operating Officer Sarah Wasserman.

“This event would not be possible without HRF’s generosity, patience, and guidance. For us, this is an opportunity to strengthen public debate about human freedom as fundamental to human happiness and prosperity. Our festival aims to raise awareness about individual and political freedom by showing films and documentaries that inspire our youth and leadership—in Venezuela we need all the hope we can get,” said UNA spokesperson Isabela Iturriza Soules.

The festival, which has garnered significant publicity and is oversubscribed, will consist of three films: Freedom’s Fury (directed by the brother sister team: Colin Keith Gray and Megan Rainey Aarons about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956); The Singing Revolution (directed by husband and wife: James and Maureen Tusty about Estonia’s peaceful struggle against Soviet occupation); and A Force More Powerful (directed by Steve York about the impact of non-violent struggles in world history).

Two of the films shown, Freedom’s Fury and The Singing Revolution, were co-produced by HRF’s president, Thor Halvorssen, and appear courtesy of the filmmakers. The dubbing of the films into Spanish was made possible thanks to a collaboration between non-profit organization Moving Picture Institute (MPI) and HRF. A Force More Powerful was produced by Peter Ackerman and Jack DuVall and appears in the festival thanks to the generosity of the Centre for Nonviolent Action.

UNA’s mission statement defines the organization as a non-profit devoted to solidarity, civic participation, property rights, the fight against poverty, freedom, justice, and democracy as a way of life and not just as a form of government. UNA also promotes civil unity, personal development, rule of law, separation of powers, free elections, and free markets.

Directed by Diana Lopez, Centro Cultural Chacao is devoted to fostering a democratic culture and promoting education for residents of Caracas. Its programs are free and open to the public.

HRF is an international nonpartisan organization devoted to defending human rights in the Americas. It centers its work on the twin concepts of freedom of self-determination and freedom from tyranny. These ideals include the belief that all human beings have the rights to speak freely, to associate with those of like mind, and to leave and enter their countries. Individuals in a free society must be accorded equal treatment and due process under law, and must have the opportunity to participate in the governments of their countries; HRF’s ideals likewise find expression in the conviction that all human beings have the right to be free from arbitrary detainment or exile and from interference and coercion in matters of conscience. HRF does not support nor condone violence. HRF’s International Council includes former prisoners of conscience Vladimir Bukovsky, Palden Gyatso, Armando Valladares, Ramón J. Velásquez, Elie Wiesel, and Harry Wu.

Contact: Sarah Wasserman, HRF: info@thehrf.org

Isabela Iturriza Soules: isabela.is28@gmail.com