Film Festival on Migration reaches regional secondary schools - Communication

Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades

The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, is promoting the third edition of Film Without Borders – Regional Film Festival on Migration, which runs from today until December 18 in all secondary schools across the Region.

This initiative aims to raise awareness among the student community about the phenomenon of migration, promote cultural diversity and human rights, and encourage the construction of a fair and supportive society.

Travelling across the nine islands of the Azores, the Festival presents four films inviting students to reflect on inclusion, multiculturalism and the challenges of coexistence between different cultures.

The opening took place today at Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School, on the island of Faial, with the screening of the film "Flow," by Gints Zibalodis, winner of the Golden Globe and Oscar in the animation category. This dialogue-free film shows a cat and other animals working together on a drifting boat, highlighting how cooperation and solidarity can arise even in adverse situations.

The film "Migrants" by Hugo Caby, Antoine Dupriez, Aubin Kubiak, Lucas Lermytte and Zoé Devise follows two polar bears forced to leave their habitat, reflecting on adaptation and resilience.

In Ai Weiwei's "Human Flow," the narrative takes on a global scale, portraying millions of displaced people and giving voice to their experiences.

Sherry Hormann's "Desert Flower" tells the true story of Waris Dirie, a young Somali woman who overcomes female genital mutilation and becomes an international advocate for women's rights, dealing with themes of courage, justice, and empowerment.

The programme covers all secondary schools in the Region. On the island of São Miguel, the exhibition will reach Armando Côrtes-Rodrigues Basic Education and Secondary School, Laranjeiras Secondary School, Ribeira Grande Secondary School, Povoação Basic Education and Secondary School, Lagoa Secondary School, Antero de Quental Secondary School, Domingos Rebelo Secondary School and Nordeste Basic Education School. On Faial, it will cover Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School. On Pico, it will visit São Roque do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School, Madalena Basic Education and Secondary School, and Lajes do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School. On Terceira, it will include Tomás de Borba Basic Education and Secondary School, Vitorino Nemésio Secondary School, and Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade Secondary School. In São Jorge, it will reach Velas Basic Education and Secondary School and Calheta Basic Education and Secondary School. The initiative will also cover the Graciosa Basic Education and Secondary School in Graciosa, Flores Basic Education and Secondary School in Flores, Santa Maria Basic Education and Secondary School in Santa Maria, and Mouzinho da Silveira Basic Education and Secondary School in Corvo. 

Throughout the event, students are invited to reflect on migration, inclusion and human rights. This will consolidate the Exhibition as a space for sharing, learning and collective growth, capable of promoting social awareness, valuing differences and building communities that are more supportive and open to the world.

The Exhibition ends on December 18 at Nordeste Basic Education and Secondary School, in São Miguel, with the screening of the film "Flow," reiterating the role of film in education for citizenship and the recognition of differences.