Five years after, Plateau film festival returns to tackle human rights issues
By Daniel Agada, Jos
Organizers of the annual Plateau International Film Festival (PIFF) have said the state will once again play host to the event in this month of October after it was last hosted in 2018 due to some challenges.
Speaking at a press conference Wednesday in Jos the Plateau State capital, the founder of the festival, Debrah Jalmet, said the three days event which will take place in Jos North and Jos South communities in the state capital will be on advocating the issues of human rights.
Jalmet who is also the Chairperson of the planning committee of this 7th edition said the festival will equally promote and uphold the principles of human rights as outlined in international declarations and agreements.
According to her, they will feature films which highlight the importance of human rights and the need to protect them, and that the films will not only motivate the people and arouse their interest in human rights issues, but will also get them involved and seek end to human rights violations.
The Founder said films and human rights go hand in hand, as cinema has the power to inspire, educate, and advocate for social change, and so they will feature thought-provoking films that shed light on various human rights issues, highlighting the struggles, triumphs, and stories behind them.
“We are thrilled to announce that the 2023 Plateau International Film Festival, with the theme, “Film and Human Rights,” will take place from the 13th to the 15th of October in various locations. This year, we are introducing a Street film Festival concept, #thecomeback, by bringing the festival directly to the heart of our community in different location in Jos North and Jos South metropolis.
“The event’s aims revolve around raising awareness, promoting discussion, and advocating for human rights issues through the medium of film. The street event thus seek to inspire action and advocacy by showcasing films that depict real-life struggles and stories, and to encourage viewers to get involved, support organizations, or take action to address human rights violations.
“We have carefully curated a selection of international films that tackle topics such as gender equality, racial discrimination, freedom of expression, indigenous rights, and more. These films have been chosen to spark conversations, foster empathy, and encourage the community to take action towards a more equitable and inclusive society.
“Besides, the street film festival format allows us to transform public spaces into cultural hubs, bringing movies, creativity, and important discussions on human rights closer to our local residents. By utilizing open-air screenings in key locations, we aim to also break barriers and reach a wider audience and encouraging meaningful engagement and interaction,” she said.
Jalmet said after coming back with the festival since 2018 when it halted, they are working hard to address address the challenges that stalled it earlier, like lack of funding and sponsorship.
She further explained that this edition will be tremendous with the team members working on the project, which included the likes of Alexis Namua Dadi, Ben Chiadika, Henry Samson Mafulul, Stanley Bentu and Bishop Steve okoh.