Exhibits,

Apropos-Human Rights in Art

Opening Night Speakers – Anthony Gardner, Arts Writer and Dept of Art History, School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne and Commissioner Jamie Gardner from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

Australia’s First Ever Human Rights Arts and Film Festival!

From the underbelly of St Kilda to the crisis zone in Darfur, from East Timorese Art Collectives to Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street, Australia’s first ever Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF) will challenge, touch and inspire audiences from all walks of life.

HRAFF’s Arts Exhibition, entitled ‘Apropos - Human Rights in Art’ brings international, national and community based artists together to critically respond to current human rights issues and the role of art within that dialogue. Apropos features work from Zehra Ahmed (NSW), Clifford Charles (South Africa), Claudia Del Fierro (Chile), Juan Ford (VIC), Alex Gibson (VIC), Matthew Hunt (WA), Mark Hilton (VIC), Raafat Ishak (VIC), Ash Keating (VIC), Deborah Kelly & Tina Fiveash (NSW), Andrew McQualter (VIC), Leonardo Ortega (Chile), Scott Redford (QLD), Christian Thompson (VIC), Culture Kitchen Collective (ACT), Gembel Collective (East Timor), Taring Padi Collective (Indonesia), the stART Community Artists (VIC), Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission Community Art Project (VIC)

Screening 37 films from all over the world, including 12 Australian Premieres, 2 Oscar Nominees (The Children of Lengingradsky & War Photographer), 2 Sundance Grand Jury prize Nominees (Mardi Gras: Made in China & World According to Sesame Street) and a host of other multi-award winning films, our films program explore a diverse range of human rights issues with tenderness, courage and humour.

Speakers include Julian Burnside QC (President of Liberty Victoria), Julian McMahon (Lawyer for Van Nguyen), Aamer Rahman (Comedian), Fenella Kernebone, (Producer/Reporter on Sunday Arts ABC TV) and a host of others.