This year, the programme includes seven films focussing on Africa, African-Caribbean and Black American communities: five features from Haiti, the United States, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Mali and two shorts made by filmmakers under the age of 19 in the Adobe Youth Producing Change programme, from Burkina Faso and Mozambique.

Opening Night Film & Reception
MOLOCH TROPICAL (UK premiere)

Raoul Peck—France/Haiti—2009—107m—drama

In English and Creole and French with English subtitles

Thursday, 18 March, Ritzy Cinema, 19.00. Filmmaker Raoul Peck in Attendance

Master filmmaker Raoul Peck’s Moloch Tropical brilliantly synthesises political analysis, Shakespearean drama and a certain Caribbean approach to tragedy. Claiming Alexander Sokurov’s Moloch as his own, Peck takes us to a hilltop fortress in Haiti where we watch the nation’s President disintegrate before our eyes—destroyed by a combination of his own paranoia and an increasingly absurd political situation…

If Haiti is to chart a new course as it rebuilds from the devastating January 12, 2010 earthquake, addressing the political and human rights themes raised in this bracing film will be critical. To learn more about Human Rights Watch’s work on these themes in Haiti and to read the Haiti chapter of Human Rights Watch’s 2010 World Report please visit http://www.hrw.org/en/node/87524

IN THE LAND OF THE FREE… (UK premiere)
Vadim Jean—UK —2009—84m—doc

In English
http://www.inthelandofthefreefilm.com/

Wednesday, 24 March 19.00, Ritzy, filmmaker Vadim Jean and film subject Robert King in attendance
Thursday, 25 March 18.30, Curzon Soho, filmmaker Vadim Jean and film subject Robert King in attendance

Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox and Robert King - the Angola 3 - have spent a combined century in solitary confinement in Angola, the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Targeted by prison officials for being members of the Black Panther Party and for fighting against terrible prison conditions, they were convicted of the murder of a prison guard - with no physical evidence and no credible eyewitnesses. In the Land of the Free… presents their ongoing story as dramatic events continue to unfold.

Human Rights Watch has published several reports on prison facilities in the United States. Prisoners often confront conditions that are abusive, degrading and dangerous as well as in violation of international human rights law. http://www.hrw.org/en/united-states/us-program/prison-and-detention-conditions

WAR DON DON (UK premiere)
Rebecca Richman Cohen—Sierra Leone/US—2010—83m—doc

In English and Krio with English subtitles
www.wardondonfilm.com

Tuesday, 23 March 18.30, Ritzy filmmaker Rebecca Richman Cohen in attendance

Thursday, 25 March 18.30, ICA filmmaker Rebecca Richman Cohen in attendance plus Panel Discussion with Sareta Ashraph, Co-Counsel, Issa Sesay Defence; Solomon Moriba, Press and Outreach Officer, Special Court for Sierra Leone; and Christopher Santora, Prosecuting Attorney, Special Court for Sierra Leone. Discussion moderated by Elise Keppler, Special Counsel, International Justice Programme, Human Rights Watch

War Don Don tells the story of the sensational trial of Issa Sesay—a senior commander of the rebel Revolutionary United Front—with unprecedented access to the various actors at the Special Court for Sierra Leone. We hear from prosecutors, defence attorneys, victims, perpetrators and Issa Sesay himself in the retelling of a case that illustrates both the complexities of achieving justice and addressing a nation’s traumatic past.

Human Rights Watch’s International Justice and Africa divisions have published a number of documents relating to the Special Court for Sierra Leone and issues of accountability, justice and peace. http://www.hrw.org/en/category/topic/international-justice

GOOD FORTUNE (UK premiere)
Landon Van Soest and Jeremy Levine—Kenya —2009—73m—doc

In English and Dholuo and Swahili with English subtitles
http://www.transientpictures.com/home.html

Saturday, 20 March 19.00, Ritzy filmmakers Landon Van Soest and Jeremy Levine and HRW Kenya researcher Ben Rawlence in attendance

Sunday, 21 March 18.30, ICA filmmakers Landon Van Soest and Jeremy Levine and HRW Kenya researcher Ben Rawlence in attendance

Through intimate portraits of two Kenyans battling aid organisations to keep their homes Good Fortune presents a unique opportunity to experience foreign aid through the people it is intended to benefit. In the rural countryside, Jackson’s farm is being flooded by an American investor who hopes to alleviate poverty by creating a multi-million dollar rice farm. In Nairobi, Silva’s home and business in Africa’s largest squatter community are being demolished as part of a United Nations slum-upgrading project. With a broad scope and intimate style, the film portrays surprising stories of human perseverance.

Human Rights Watch’s recent reports on Kenya have covered a number of issues from the forgotten Somali refugee crisis to treatment access for children living with HIV. http://www.hrw.org/en/africa/kenya

MRS. GOUNDO’S DAUGHTER (UK premiere)
Barbara Attie and Janet Goldwater—Mali/US—2009—60m—doc

In English and Bambara and French with English subtitles
http://attiegoldwater.com/goundosdaughter/home.htm

Sunday, 21 March 17.00, Ritzy filmmakers Barbara Attie and Janet Goldwater in attendance
Monday, 22 March 18.30, Ritzy filmmakers Barbara Attie and Janet Goldwater in attendance

Bridging two worlds, Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter tells the moving story of one Malian mother’s fight for asylum in the US to protect her two-year-old daughter from female genital cutting. Expertly interweaving scenes from Mali of girls preparing for an excision ceremony and scenes from Philadelphia where those who have survived the ceremony share their stories, the film demonstrates precisely why and how Mrs. Goundo fights for her daughter and her future.

Adobe Youth Producing Change
Founding Presenter: Adobe Youth Voices

Friday March 19, 19.00, Ritzy Alcides Soares in attendance (tbc), reception to follow
Saturday March 20, 15.30, ICA Alcides Soares in attendance (tbc)

MOZAMBIQUE
Alcides Soares in association with BYkids—US/Mozambique—2008—12m—doc—In English and Portuguese with English Subtitles

Alcides, who recently lost both parents to HIV/AIDS, documents the community impact of the epidemic. His story focuses on the realities for children left to fend for themselves, and their resilience to recreate family and to persevere.

LEILA
Produced by 16 youth filmmakers from Camera-etc.—Burkina Faso—2007—4m—animation—In French with English subtitles

This enchantingly rendered animated short tells the story of Leila, an only daughter of poor farmers who decide to exchange her for one bag of millet to feed the rest of their family. The story focuses on the lives of children who are sold into servitude.

For full synopses, screening details, and downloadable images please see festival website at: http://www.hrw.org/en/iff/london