The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has officially kicked off the competition for artistic works in photography and short films as part of its fifth annual Human Rights Film Festival. The submission officially began on October 14, 2025, which is organized in coordination with World Human Rights Day, inviting talented individuals and organizations from across all Ethiopian regions, including Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa administrations, to participate in the photography and short film contests.
This year’s competition prioritizes two fundamental rights: the right to freedom and the right to education. These themes reflect the critical issues underscored in the 2017 E.C. EHRC Annual Human Rights Report. The national event encourages broad participation from individuals, governmental bodies, and civil society organizations engaged in media, communications, education, and training sectors.
Since its inception in 2021, the annual film festival has aimed to harness the power of artistic expression to raise awareness about human rights, promote their respect and protection, and unite people and organizations dedicated to these causes. The festival also strives to foster collaboration around current human rights challenges and to creatively interpret these themes, making them more accessible and engaging to diverse community groups.
The 5th edition expands its reach to more cities and artistic disciplines. Competitions in photography and short films will remain open until November 12, 2025. The photography contest focuses on the right to education, while the short film competition centers on the right to freedom. The film contest is divided into two categories: beginners, featuring mobile phone film submissions with durations of 5 to 6 minutes, and professionals, allowing films of 10 to 15 minutes. Entrants can submit creative, documentary, or true-story based works.
Artistic entries should explore the effects of safeguarding or violating human rights on individuals’ lives, encourage reflection and dialogue, and amplify the voices of marginalized populations such as children, youth, women, elderly persons, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and refugees. All participants will receive certificates of recognition, and the top three winners in each category will be honored at a ceremony in Addis Ababa.
EHRC Commissioner Birhanu Adelo emphasized the festival’s role in making human rights concepts understandable and relatable for people of all ages and social groups. He urged skilled and passionate artists and organizations to actively engage in the festival, wishing participants success in this year’s expanded competition.
