The 19th edition of the International Human Rights Film Festival began on Monday at the Marubi Film and Multimedia Academy.

The opening ceremony featured participation from artists, filmmakers, writers, and diplomats, and included a musical performance by the special needs band “The Door.”

Introducing this year’s theme, “Act Green Now and for the Future,” Executive Director Kujtim Çashku welcomed festival partners and friends while acknowledging the presence of distinguished artists.

EU Ambassador to Tirana, Silvio Gonzato, noted that in a polarized world, cinema offers a unique chance to promote humanitarian values and take collective action for the common good, which is why the European Union is a festival partner.

“The festival’s theme serves as a strong reminder of our responsibility to protect the planet, as we only have one. Programs in Albania highlight the importance of combining economic development with long-term sustainability and biodiversity preservation,” Gonzato said.

Tirana’s Mayor, Erion Veliaj, commented that the festival has transformed the Kinostudio from a peripheral location into a central hub for debate, discussion, and intellectual stimulation.

“Films can bring distant realities closer to us, shedding light on situations like the conflict in Ukraine and the Russian aggression. Issues that are often overlooked in our daily lives are brought to the forefront by films, challenging us even in our decision-making,” Veliaj noted.

The festival opened with the Swedish film “Blix Not Bombs” by Greta Stocklassa, which highlighted diplomat Hans Blix’s role in the reports on Iraq in the early 2000s and the issue of weapons of mass destruction.

In total, 41 films will be shown in Tirana, at venues such as COD, Marubi, the “Maks Velo” cinema, the Academy of Security, the School of Magistrates, and the Authority for Information on State Documents, among others. The festival aims to provide insights and reflections on humanity, law, and states.

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