Patios: The Sixth Annual

New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival

Festival returns with more than 50 films, performances, workshops, and other events at venues across New Orleans: March 26-April 5



WHAT: The New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival is back. Running Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, April 5, 2009 this year’s festival promises a breathtaking line-up of films, performances, workshops and more. The film festival presents films, speakers, and performers who offer concrete solutions and celebrate successes in the global struggle for human rights. All of the nearly 50 films lined up this year are New Orleans premieres.



WHEN: Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, April 5

The Festival opens on March 26 at 7 p.m. at Canal Place, with the New Orleans premiere of American Violet, starring Alfre Woodard. Filmed in New Orleans, the film confronts racial profiling through the inspiring story of woman standing up to injustice in a small Texas town. Writer/Producer will be in attendance, will participate in a brief Q & A following the film.



WHERE: Venues across New Orleans ranging from Canal Place to New Orleans Museum of Art.



OTHER: Patois’ mission is to create accessible spaces at the intersection of art and social justice. In that spirit the Sixth Annual New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival exists to support movements for social justice.



Other highlighted screenings and events include:

Friday, March 27

9 p.m. Hip-hop concert featuring national and local acts, including Mohammad Al-Farra, from Gaza, and Wise Intelligent from the legendary hip-hop group Poor Righteous Teachers.


Saturday, March 28

7 p.m. Medicine for Melancholy

A love story in the context of racism and gentrification told through two African-American twenty-something’s dealing with issues of class, identity, and being a minority in rapidly gentrifying San Francisco—a city with the smallest proportional black population of any major American city. Directed by Barry Jenkins.

Sunday, March 29

SECONDLINE: Blowout Consciousness

1 p.m. STEP OFF at ZEITGEIST

Films, speakers, and a street celebration of freedom, standing against the cradle-to-prison pipeline. Featuring the short films I Am Sean Bell and Moral Panic at Zeitgeist. Participants and speakers include rapper Wise Intelligent; filmmaker Stacey Muhammad; and members of Fyre Youth Squad. Secondline with brass band begins at Zeigeist. Free program.

Featured films at Blowout Consciousness:

I am Sean Bell

Young Black boys speak candidly about police brutality as well as their fears and hopes as they approach manhood. 11m, documentary, directed by Stacey Muhammad.

Moral Panic: More Heat Than Light

An inside look into the minds of gang members and the social conditions that drive young people to become involved in gang life and criminality. 32m, documentary, directed by Akintola Hanif.

Wednesday, April 1

New Orleans Museum of Art

6 p.m. Independent America

Examines the reconstruction of New Orleans with a focus on the challenges small family businesses face in the growing landscape of corporate retailers. Directed by Hanson Hosein.

Thursday, April 2

New Orleans Museum of Art

6 p.m. New Orleans Tea Party

A locally-made documentary about the rebuilding of civil society in post-Katrina New Orleans. Directed by Marline Otte.

Sunday, April 5

Zeitgeist

Justice for All

An exploration of young people in the criminal justice system in the US, from Jena, Louisiana to California to New York.



Directors and performers from many of the films are available for interview as well as members of the Festival staff and board. Promotional reels and press packets will be circulated upon request. For more information on the Festival and a full schedule visit http://patoisfilmfest.org/.