The Tri-Continental Film Festival is an annual, national festival that focuses on documentary and narrative films from or about three continents: Africa, Asia, America. The overall objective of the Festival is to showcase strong films that deal with the socio-political and human rights concerns of the regions mentioned above.

Amnesty International supported a CIVICUS action to improve underprivileged communities’ access to the Tri-Continental Film Festival on Human Rights during October 2010. A free film night was hosted at Hillbrow Theatre in Johannesburg CBD. Upwards of 250 people from the Hillbrow community centres of Malaika Orphanage and Lutheran Community Centre enjoyed two films from the 2010 Tri-contintental film festival selection. Namely, ‘War Child’ and ‘A City Called Descent.’

Amnesty International’s HRE Officer, Jabu Tugwana, opened the afternoon’s programme with an introduction to human rights. The Tri-Continental film screening in Hillbrow was an important step forward because it brought the powerful message of poverty and human rights to the doorstep of rights holders. The organizers of the festival have approached Amnesty International in search of support for next year’s installment.