jhr Announces 2nd Annual Human Rights Docfest!

TORONTO, June 29 /CNW/ - The University of Toronto Chapter of Journalists for Human Rights is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Human Rights Documentary Film Festival to be hosted at the National Film Board's Toronto Mediateque on July 23rd-25th.

The Festival will showcase human rights conscious Canadian films that have been reviewed by a panel of high profile, industry leading judges from organizations such as jhr, the University of Toronto, Hotdocs Film Festival, Think Content Inc. and the Toronto Amnesty Business Human Rights Group.

"Human Rights Docfest is paramount in the world we face today. The 2010 submissions are groundbreaking and should invigorate interesting discussions between festival attendees," says Festival Director Sophie Langlois.

The three-day festival will include award-winning Ghanaian journalist and host of JS- International Assignment Jefferson Kwamina Sackey who will serve as Guest Speaker. Festival judges Alan Black and Ben Peterson will also make special visits.

Human Rights Docfest intends to put human rights issues before a bigger audience, aiming to give a voice to the silenced and challenge our ignorance about these issues for collective well-being. Submissions by both established and up and coming filmmakers demonstrate how the Canadian public is at the forefront of promoting human rights for all.

"Human Rights Docfest goes a long way toward helping Canadians become aware of human rights issues both inside and outside of our borders," says jhr Executive Director Ben Peterson. "Last year's winner 'Where Credit is Due' highlighted the success of micro credit programs in Guatemala and successfully educated Canadians on an issue of rising global importance."

Early bird tickets will be available June 21 to July 9. Regular tickets will be available throughout July until the festival starts. Please visit www.hrdocfest.com for ticket details.

jhr is Canada's largest media development organization. Through its projects in post-conflict countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia and the DRC, jhr mobilizes local media to reach millions of Africans regularly with human rights stories. In Canada, projects like the documentary film festival help jhr reach its goal of making everyone in the world aware of their rights.

For further information: on HR Docfest contact: Sophie Langlois, HR Docfest Director: e. [email protected], t. 416-797-9444, www.hrdocfest.com; For further information on Hr DocFest Media Outreach and Communications contact: Brittney Teasdale and Samya Kullab, HR DocFest Media Outreach Coordinators: e. [email protected], t. 416-988-1443; For further information on jhr contact: Bill Killorn, jhr Domestic Programs: e. [email protected], t. 416-413-0240 ext 202, www.jhr.ca