What starts with a widespread look at how we could radically address climate change using existing technologies, ends with a moving coming-of-age story, and features everything from Aussie rom-coms to documentaries about the country's refugee policies in-between? Thanks to films 2040, Giant Little Ones, Top End Wedding and Stop the Boats, that'd be Melbourne's showcase of human rights-focused movies, art and performances. Yes, the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival returns for another year, running from Thursday, May 9 to Thursday, May 23.
Also on the 15-day festival lineup: a showcase of Indigenous short films, a deep dive into child labour and its use in everyday products, the story of a young woman who escaped ISIS and the life of an octogenarian trans woman. Plus, if you'd like to take a look at the biggest global corruption scandal in history, aka the Panama Papers, you can — and the doco is directed by Alex Winter, who is perhaps better known as the William 'Bill' S. Preston, Esq to Keanu Reeves' Theodore 'Ted' Logan in the Bill and Ted movies.
As well as screening at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Cinema Nova and Lido Cinemas, HRAFF includes an exhibition component at a number of galleries around town. Whether you like your creativity on a canvas or on the big screen, this fest has the answer — and the topical content.