The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees and the internally displaced population, proudly presents the 5th edition of the UNHCR Refugee Film Festival in October 2010. This year, for the first time since its first edition in 2006, the Film Festival will be held not only in Tokyo, but also in some cities from Hokkaido to Kyushu.
The UNHCR Refugee Film Festival raises awareness of the world’s 43 million refugees and internally displaced persons that are forced to flee due to persecution and conflict. In the Nationwide Version of our 5th edition of the festival, we are proud to present 4 films selected amongst the most appreciated ones in our past editions. We hope that this long-waited initiative will create an opportunity to share with the wider Japanese public, seldom-heard stories of hope, despair and resilience, drawing attention to the human side of those populations.
The organizers also hope that the featured films and ensuing discussions will help the Japanese audience ruminate on the humanitarian contributions that the government and people of Japan have provided over the years; the contributions that have aided in saving millions of lives. The audience is bound to contemplate on what else they can do in the future.
Warner Mycal Cinemas Ebetsu (Hokkaido)
Warner Mycal Cinemas Fukuoka Lukul (Fukuoka)
Warner Mycal Cinemas SandaWoody Town (Hyogo)
Warner Mycal Cinemas Kohoku New Town (Kanagawa)
Aeon Cinema Takasaki (Gunma)
Aeon Cinema Koshigaya Laketown (Saitama)
Bookings are necessary. Please see the website from the venue page for exact screening times and booking methods. Each screening fits 200 people. Once a screening becomes full, no more bookings will be accepted.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides protection and assistance to the world’s refugees. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency was created by the United Nations General Assembly and began work in 1951. People of concern to UNHCR include not only refugees, but also asylum seekers, refugees who have returned home, stateless people and internally displaced persons.
UNHCR has helped well over 50 million people successfully restart their lives, earning two Nobel Peace Prizes in the process-in 1954 and 1981. Today, some 6,600 staff in more than 120 countries help over 43 million people. More than 80 percent of the staff works in field offices, often in remote and dangerous locations. Due to the increasing number of conflicts in the world as well as the on-going impact of climate change, protection and assistance needs for refugees are expected to rise. In these circumstances, the UNHCR office in Tokyo works with the Japanese government, which is the second largest contributor to UNHCR, as well as the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to support the refugees worldwide and in Japan.
By the time the UNHCR Refugee Film Festival – the Metropolitan Version launches on October 1st, Japan will have received about 30 Myanmarese refugees from Thailand under the first resettlement pilot program, in Asia.
To learn more about UNHCR Representation in Japan
To learn more about Japan for UNHCR
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie
Since she was named as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in early 2001, Angelina Jolie has visited more than 20 countries around the world to highlight the plight of millions of uprooted people and to advocate for their protection.
Click here for details on Angelina Jolie
Message from Angelina Jolie
“Film is an important medium to introduce the many aspects of the lives and circumstances of refugees across the world, and through this entertainment vehicle, create better awareness and understanding.”
──Angelina Jolie, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
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