First-Ever Cairo Human Rights Film Festival Launched by AIC-Egypt

First-Ever Cairo Human Rights Film Festival Launched by AIC-Egypt

Five-day festival spotlights international films on eve of 60th anniversary of Egypt's Universal Declaration of Human Rights

CAIRO, Egypt, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The North Africa bureau of the American Islamic Congress (AIC) has announced the first-ever Cairo Human Rights Film Festival (www.cairofilm.org ), which runs from Nov. 23-27 and features films from around the world. Under the theme "Human Dignity," the festival will take place in various venues throughout the Egyptian capital.

"We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in Egypt, the 'mother of civilization'," said Dalia Ziada, AIC's North Africa Director. "I am proud that Cairo is hosting one of the first human rights film festivals in the Arab world. We hope the film festival will stand as a model that can be repeated in other cities in the region."

Most of the festival's films will be premiering in Egypt. One example is the documentary "A Force More Powerful," which chronicles the success of nonviolent reform movements around the world, including in the United States, South Africa, and Argentina.

"The festival aims to highlight international human rights issues and build understanding between cultures," noted Ziada. "Most of the films focus outside Egypt and the Arab world, exposing Egyptian audiences to issues we do not hear about often in the news."

Other films to screen include "Democracy in Dakar" about Senegalese hip-hop artists who use music to educate others on human rights; the Arabic version of Amnesty International's "UNDHR Animated"; and "The Elders", a documentary produced by the Every Human Has Rights Campaign. Each movie will be followed by a discussion about the issues raised in the film.

The Cairo Human Rights Film Festival venues include the Hisham Mubarak Law Center, the New Woman Foundation, and Ibn Khaldun Center. All screenings are free and open to public. For more information, visit www.cairofilm.org.

The American Islamic Congress is a civil-rights organization promoting tolerance and the exchange of ideas among Muslims and between other peoples. With the motto "Passionate about Moderation," the organization leads initiatives around the world and has offices in Washington, Boston, Egypt, and Iraq. For more information see www.aicongress.org.

Source: American Islamic Congress

CONTACT: Dalia Ziada, +20-2-26706303, dalia@aicongress.org, or Dina
Elshinnawi, +1-202-595-3160, dina@aicongress.org, both of the American Islamic
Congress

Web Site: www.aicongress.org
www.cairofilm.org

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