In an effort to support the promotion of human rights in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean, Amnesty International (AI) and the trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) have established a human rights film prize.

The Amnesty International Human Rights Prize will be awarded annually to the maker of the Caribbean film screened at ttff which best highlights a human rights issue. The inaugural prize will be handed out at the ttff/14, which takes place from 16 to 30 September this year.

“Talking about human rights issues, whether through films or other creative arts, is an important way to build a culture of respect for rights and encourage greater activism in the defense of rights,” said Chiara Sangiorgio, Campaigner, Global Thematic Programming at Amnesty International. 

“We are delighted at the opportunity of partnering with the ttff, whose work in developing the film industry in the region we have been following with great admiration.”

Both fiction and documentary feature-length films will be considered for the prize. The winner will be chosen, by a jury, from a shortlist.

In addition to receiving a trophy, the winning filmmaker will also be given a cash prize of TT$5000. The ttff and AI will also seek to assist the winning film in getting screened as widely as possible throughout the region.

“We are honoured that Amnesty International has chosen to partner with us in spreading the message of human rights in the Caribbean,” said Jonathan Ali, the ttff’s Editorial Director. “Film is a powerful tool, and used effectively can positively influence the way people see and think about the world they live in.”

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than three million supporters, members and activists in over 150 countries and territories. The organization exposes human rights violations and campaigns for justice around the world. It is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion, and is funded mainly by its membership and public donations.

The ttff is an annual celebration of films from and about Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and its diaspora. The Festival seeks to facilitate the growth of the region’s film industry by hosting workshops, panel discussions, seminars, conferences and networking opportunities.