Human Rights Arts and Film Festival 2016

Overview

Asylum seekers, at-risk students and the environment are just a few of the issues under the microscope at this year's Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. With its touring arm returning to Dendy Newtown, the latest edition of this socially conscious festival is sure to get audiences all fired up.

Kicking off on May 24, the Sydney leg of the fest begins with the already sold-out Chasing Asylum, offering a confronting and extremely timely look at mandatory detention from Oscar-winning filmmaker Eva Orner. Then on May 25, it's They Will Have to Kill Us First: Malian Music in Exile, a frank exploration of the power of music.

Other highlights include Sundance prize winner The Bad Kids, about at-risk high school kids in the Mojave desert, and Land Grabbing, a behind-the-scenes look at both sides of the contentious issue of land acquisitions.

Read our interview with Chasing Asylum director Eva Orner here.