BRNO, Czech Republic – Palestinian director Mohamed Jabaly’s film ‘Life is Beautiful’ has been crowned the winner of this year’s One World International Human Rights Film Festival. The festival took place in Prague and attracted over 21,000 spectators. Jabaly’s documentary follows the journey of a young Palestinian filmmaker as he navigates exile in Norway. In a unique twist, his month-long stay turns into a forced period of exile due to the political situation in his homeland.
The festival also awarded director Kumjana Novakova with the jury prize for directing for her film ‘Silence of Reason’. Novakova’s documentary sheds light on the brutal sexual violence and torture faced by women during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. By utilizing archival material from The Hague Tribunal, Novakova gives voice to the victims and emphasizes the broader issue of rape as a weapon of war in contemporary conflicts.
The audience vote went to the documentary ‘My New Face’ by director Jarmila Stukova. The film tells the inspiring story of a woman who recovers from an acid attack and learns to live with the loss of her sight. Despite facing immense challenges, she finds a new path in life and serves as an inspiration to others.
President Petr Pavel attended the award ceremony, which celebrated the best in international human rights cinema. The jury praised ‘Life is Beautiful’ for its powerful portrayal of the filmmaker’s statelessness and the support he finds in the Norwegian community. The film combines elements of humor, diary form, and personal testimony to convey a universal story of perseverance, strength, and hope.
A separate award, the Vaclav Havel Jury Award for Best Film, went to ‘Extremisti.br’ directed by Caio Cavechini. The Brazilian documentary sheds light on the threats and violence posed by right-wing extremists in a deeply divided Brazilian society.
The One World International Human Rights Film Festival showcases a diverse range of films, including documentaries and feature films, that tackle pressing human rights issues. The festival aims to raise awareness and foster dialogue on these important topics. In addition to the film screenings, the festival also presents the annual Homo Homini award, which recognizes individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to the protection of human rights and democracy. This year, the award was given to representatives of the imprisoned editorial staff of the independent Azerbaijani online media Abzas Media.
One World continues to be a powerful platform for filmmakers and advocates to shine a light on human rights violations and promote social change. Following its conclusion in Prague, the festival will continue to run in over 40 cities across the Czech Republic until April 21st.