Human Rights Film Festival 2024: Children’s Rights Edition

GHRD is proud to have successfully hosted its 4th Human Rights Film Festival on November 21, 2024, in The Hague. With the support of an amazing and hardworking team, we were able to bring together a diverse group of 160 attendees to advocate for children’s rights. This year’s festival focused on raising awareness of critical issues affecting children worldwide, from access to education and nutrition to the devastating impacts of conflict and violence.

Our Mission
At its core, the GHRD Film Festival celebrates diversity and reminds us of our shared humanity. It showcases that the true progress of a society is reflected in how it treats all its members, especially its children. Through powerful documentaries, we aimed to inspire change, foster dialogue, and advocate for a future where children’s rights are fully protected.

The festival began with a moving speech by Anghelina Severin, a young and dedicated child rights activist from Moldova. Nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize, Anghelina has made significant strides in child advocacy and social justice. Her address set the tone for the day, urging attendees to take action for children in vulnerable situations.

The Movies
This year’s festival featured a selection of impactful documentaries that addressed various children’s rights issues globally. Butterfly Butterfly explored the treatment of child refugees and conflict survivors, while Worth of A Girl: Hope and Survival of Child Brides highlighted the struggles of child brides. Children of War shed light on the harsh realities faced by child soldiers, and Hunger Ward took audiences into the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where children fight against famine. The final film, International Adoptions: A Global Scandal, uncovered the unethical practices surrounding international adoptions, including trafficking and exploitation. Each film provided a powerful lens on the challenges children face and the urgent need for change.

The Panel Discussion
Following the screenings, a panel of expert speakers delved deeper into the issues raised by the films. The discussion focused on the importance of protecting children’s rights, particularly in conflict zones and vulnerable situations. Panelists included Edith Bardel, Dr. Sheila Varadan, Katariina Leivo, and Priyam Ghandi-Mody, who shared their expertise on the legal and policy gaps in child protection, the risks children face in the digital space, and the importance of international cooperation and advocacy. They emphasized the need to amplify children’s voices in the fight for their rights and highlighted the role of global collaboration in securing a safer future for children worldwide.

Get Involved
We are grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed to the success of this event. If you’re interested in supporting the next festival, whether through partnerships or sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at humanrightsfilmfestival@ghrd.org. Together, we can continue advocating for human rights.