Tawakkol Karman, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights activist, has confirmed her participation in the upcoming 20th edition of the Barcelona Human Rights Film Festival.

The festival is scheduled to take place from December 1st to 10th, 2023, and will serve as a platform to shed light on important human rights issues.

Karman will deliver the opening speech, where she will emphasize the significance of human rights and the crucial role that influential leaders around the world play in advocating for them.

As a highly regarded event in the film industry, the  human rights film festival in Barcelona is renowned for its international lineup, showcasing powerful and thought-provoking films that address humanistic themes. 

This edition of the festival is particularly significant as it marks its 20th anniversary. In celebration of this milestone, the festival organizers are honored to welcome the Nobel laureate Tawakkol Karman to share her insights and experiences on the global stage.

One of the highlighted films during the festival will be "A Bride in a Minefield" (2023), directed by the Yemeni filmmaker Hanaa Saleh. Produced by the Women Journalists Without Chains, which is led by Tawakkol Karman, the film depicts the transformative story of a young woman whose life takes a tragic turn when a mine explosion shatters her wedding plans. 

Through its compelling narrative, the film provides a poignant portrayal of the harsh realities faced by Yemen, a country deeply affected by a prolonged and destructive conflict since the Houthi coup in 2014. Yemen has tragically become one of the largest minefields in modern history.

It is important to recognize the Barcelona Human Rights Film Festival as a significant platform for promoting and raising awareness about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through the medium of cinema. By showcasing diverse films that explore human rights issues, the festival aims to foster dialogue and inspire action toward a more just and equitable world.