Film Fest to explore contemporary human rights issues

A powerful film event that the

New York Times

calls the “cinematic conscience of the world,” runs Jan. 20-23 at the Museum of Photographic Arts. The second annual Human Rights Watch Film Festival in San Diego “will allow courageous individuals on both sides of the lens to empower audiences with the knowledge that they can make a difference,” said organizers.

The San Diego presentation of the HRW Film Festival is made possible by gifts from Rod and Diane Dammeyer and The James Irvine Foundation.

The lineup:

• LOVE CRIMES OF KABUL

7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20

Q&A with Huma Ahmed-Ghosh of SDSU, moderated by Lynn Hiestand, Heartland Alliance

• GRANITO: HOW TO NAIL A DICTATOR

1 p.m. Jan. 21

Q&A with filmmaker Peter Kinoy, moderated by Milburn Line, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice

•WHEN THE MOUNTAINS TREMBLE

3 p.m. Jan. 21

Q&A with filmmaker Peter Kinoy, moderated by Milburn Line, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice

• THE PRICE OF SEX

7 p.m. Jan. 21

Q&A with filmmaker Mimi Chakarova

• IF A TREE FALLS

3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22

Q&A with Andrea Prasow, Human Rights Watch

• YOU DON’T LIKE THE TRUTH: 4 DAYS INSIDE GUANTANAMO

7 p.m. Jan. 22

Q&A with Andrea Prasow, Human Rights Watch

• YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE

10:30 a.m. Jan. 23

Q&A with Ethan van Thillo, Media Arts Center

Single screening tickets (online or at the door) are $4 for MOPA members; $6 for students, seniors and military; and $8 for the public. Festival passes cover admission to all seven festival films at $15 for MOPA members; $25 for students, seniors and military; and $35 for the public. The Museum of Photographic Arts is at 1649 El Prado in Balboa Park.

For more details, call (619) 238-7559 or visit

MOPA.org

--Staff Reports