UNHCR Refugee film festival

Everyday, thousands of people run from war, persecution and terror. Even 1 is too many…

UNHCR Representation in Japan proudly presents the 6th edition of the UNHCR Refugee Film Festival. This year's film festival has a special meaning for different reasons. First, it is a year that UNHCR commemorates several anniversaries: 60 years since the 1951 Convention relating to Refugees was adopted; 30 years that Japan has acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention; and 150 years since the birth of Fridtjof Nansen, the first League of Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Second, the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan earlier this year powerfully reminded us that all of us may be forcibly displaced at some point. I have been deeply impressed by the resilience and the strength with which people responded to these crises.

Many of the films highlight how individuals can make a difference, alleviating the plight of people displaced by war, conflict, human right abuse or natural disaster. The films you are about to watch aim to raise awareness of the world's 43 million refugees and internally displaced persons and to create a sense of responsibility to provide hope for a better future to anyone who is forced to flee.

Even 1 refugee without hope is too many. Do 1 thing.

You are all invited to the Refugee Film Festival to learn how you can make a difference.

Johan Cels, UNHCR Representative in Japan

• No admission fees. Donations are welcome.
• Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Seat reservations are not available.
• Numbered tickets will be distributed 1 hour prior to every screening at each respective venue.
• Venues will open to audience members 20 minutes prior to every screening (except in cases where a previous film or Q&A session is still running).
• Audience members should leave the venue when the film or Q&A session ends.Those who wish to watch another film must queue for that film.

* Since the Global Festa Japan 2011 is held outdoors, there are no admission limits.

Every year, the UNHCR Refugee Film Festival is made possible by generous contributions from various sponsors and individual supporters. Donations in support of the Refugee Film Festival and the work of UNHCR are highly appreciated.

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 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 work in field offices, often in remote and dangerous locations.

Due to the increasing number of conflicts in the world, 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) and the private sector to support the refugees worldwide and in Japan.

* Includes internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees under UNRWA's (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) mandate.

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