Disability and Human Rights Film Festival University of Saint Joseph, Human Science Campus, Rue Damas Whilst the rights of other marginalized groups, such as women, children and ethnic minorities, have come to the forefront of the development agenda, disability rights remain largely ignored. Using the occasion of the International Day of Disabled People, December 3rd, this film festival aims to challenge negative perceptions and highlight some of the issues facing disabled people. The films will draw attention to the fact that may of the problems faced by disabled people are result of the prejudice and discrimination they meet rather than their disability itself. The festival forms part of LPHU’s on going struggle to get society, development groups and NGOS as well as the government to re-conceptualize disability issues within a discourse of rights. Amnesty International’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. DAY 1- December 2nd 5.00pm Opening: 5.30pm Workshop: Development, Human Rights and Disability Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union Amnesty International Regional Office Minister of Culture – Ghazi al–Aaridi Speakers: Amnesty International Regional Office– Human rights and disability Omar Razaz- World Bank Country Manager – The face of development Jon Horsley – Oxfam –Women and Economic Rights Films: 7.00pm 7.15pm Talk Country: UK Synopsis: An able bodied man wakes up in a disabled world and tries to get a job and a girlfriend, but keeps getting pitied or mocked for being weird. Disability Culture Rap Directors: Jerry Smith and Cheryl Marie Wade Country: US Synopsis: Bold and controversial, this film mixes artistic expression, politics, and humour to move audiences to a deeper understanding of disability from a minority and cultural perspective. 7.45pm Maternite Interdite (Forbidden Motherhood) 8.45pm School 9.00pm Hidden Talents Country: France (French with Arabic subtitles) Synopsis: About the fertility rights of women with learning disabilities Synopsis: An animation film about the history of deaf education. Country: UK Synopsis: About disability and employment. DAY 2 – December 3rd 5.00pm Workshop: The Arts and the Media and their role in the promotion of human rights Speakers: Talal Selmaan – Owner of As-Safir – The role of the media Shoukry Anis Fakhoury – author – Minority Perspectives Maggie Farah – Journalist – Inclusion and the media Films: 6.30pm Cousin Director/Producer: Adam Benjamin Elliot Country: Australia Synopsis: A little boy born with cerebral palsy playing with his cousin, attempting to fly off the chicken-shed roof, out of control shopping trolley rides and games of violent cricket. We observe how he copes with his disability using safety pins and finger breaking and follow him to the depths of the ocean where he contemplates his world. Brother Director/Producer: Adam Benjamin Elliot Country: Australia Synopsis: A little boy afflicted with asthma plays with his brother, swinging from clothes lines, chasing chickens, and combusting ants. We watch as a little boy deals with a horrible disease that defers his dream of being an acrobatic clown. Uncle Director/Producer: Adam Benjamin Elliot Country: Australia 7.00pm Vision and Isolation Winner of the Docudays: Best National Documentary Award Director: Taline Kiberian Country: Lebanon (Arabic subtitled in English) Synopsis: Despite his physical handicap, Christopher Kassarji manages to create a poetry book, an expression of his deep feelings towards Maya (his first and only love) and his gratitude to his mother and to all those who have shared his misery. “Isolation and Vision” is an intimate portrait of the life of a poet in its smallest details through which sheds the light on the “sweet sorrows” of life, the unlimited abilities of man and his endless sufferings, both in sickness and love… 7.15pm North Face Director: Marc Jobst Country: UK Synopsis: North Face explores a young disabled woman’s reaction to a male neighbours embarrassment after they become romantically entangled. After weeks of ignoring each other Paul is forced to face Cat. He is locked out and needs help only she can offer to get back in. The Egg Director: Richard Wilson Country: UK Synopsis: When a distressed man enters a remote all night café’ and is served the perfect egg it has an effect on him, the chef and the waitress that will change their lives forever. Urban Myth Director/Producer: Ewan Marshall Country: UK Synopsis: Urban Myth is about two old school friends who bump into each other as adults. Max has always had feelings for Niki but because of his disability has never approached her. Now years later Niki is leaving on a plane to New York in the morning and Max has only a few hours to grab his second chance. 7.45pm This River Winding 8.15pm Children of Chatila 8.50pm Duration: 0:10:50 Director/Producer: Art and Power Synopsis: Produced by people with learning disabilities, expressing their hopes, fears and childhood memories. Director: Mai Masri Synopsis: Through the stories of Farah and Issa, the film explores the imaginary world of children where play, dream and fantasy help them to survive the overwhelming difficulties of their everyday lives Invisible Fitna Director: Jazz Shaban Country: UK (English/Arabic with Arabic subtitles) (Please note that all films are in English with Arabic subtitles unless otherwise stated)