Everyday Rebellion is a cross-media documentary about creative forms of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience worldwide.

What does the Occupy movement in New York have in common with the Spanish Indignados protests or the Arab Spring? Is there a connection between the struggle of the Iranian democracy movement and the nonviolent uprising in Syria, and what is the link between the Ukrainian topless activists of Femen and an Islamic society like Egypt? And to top it off, what do Serbia and Turkey have to do with all of this?

The reasons for the various people’s uprisings in these countries may be diverse, but the creative nonviolent tactics they use in their struggles are strongly connected. So are the dedicated activists who share these strategies, new ideas and established methods. Everyday Rebellion is a story about the richness of peaceful protest, acted out everyday by passionate people from Spain, Iran, Syria, Ukraine, the USA, the UK and Serbia.

These methods are inventive, funny and unrelenting. And the activists who use them believe that creative nonviolent protest will triumph over violence in the effort to challenge dictatorships and the crushing power of global corporations. Everyday Rebellion is a tribute to the creativity of nonviolent resistance, and to a modern and rapidly-changing society in which new and inventive forms of protest are conceived every day.

Directed by Arman T. Riahi & Arash T. Riahi
Duration: 118′
Year: 2014
www.everydayrebellion.net

The Suffering Grasses explores the Syrian conflict through the eyes of those caught in the crossfire as what began as peaceful demonstrations over a year ago escalated into violence and brought the country to the brink of civil war.

While focusing on the people and communities most affected by the bloody conflict, director Iara Lee also examines the motivations of Bashar al-Assad’s Ba’athist regime, the Free Syrian Army and other key players including the United States, Israel, Russia, China and Iran.

This relationship between the actions of those in power and the impact it has on ordinary people is the inspiration for the film’s title – taken from the saying “When elephants go to war, it is the grass that suffers.”

Lee spent a number of weeks in the Turkish refugee camps, interviewing those who had been forced to flee the bloody conflict. Although many live in desperate circumstances, often away from their family or loved ones, the picture Lee draws is primarily optimistic and stresses the importance of non-violent protests and the strength

The screening will be followed by a discussion with with director Iara Lee

Director: Iara Lee
Duration: 52′
Year: 2012

When Israeli activists arrive to protest the takeover of the East Jerusalem half of Mohammed El Kurd’s home, the Palestinian teenager comes of age in the face of continuous tension and unexpected cooperation in his backyard.

My Neighbourhood goes beyond the headlines that normally dominate discussions of Jerusalem and captures the rarely heard voices of those striving for a shared future in the city.

The screening of this 25-minute documentary will be followed by an extended Q&A with award-winning director Julia Bacha and Executive Director of Just Vision Ronit Avni. During the Q&A video portraits taken from the Home Front series will also be shown.

Directed by: Julia Bacha
Co-directed by: Rebekah Wingert-Jabi

Year: 2012
Running Time: 25′

In partnership with:

For the birth of his fourth son, Palestinian villager Emad Burnat bought his first camera. This is also the moment a separation barrier is being built in his village Bil’in. The self-taught cameraman begins filming the events around him – and ends up with five broken video cameras. The footage of each of them tells a different part of the story of his village’s non-violent resistance to the Israeli army.

Despite the pleas from his wife who fears reprisals, Emad keeps on filming. The result is an intensely powerful, first-hand and deeply personal document about one village’s struggle against violence and oppression.

This screening is in partnership with London Open City Docs Fest (21-24 June)

Awards:
World Cinema Direction Award, Sundance 2012
Prix Louis-Marcorelles,, Cinema du Reel 2012
The Stephan Jarl Documentary award, Tempo Film Festival 2012
The Best Director Award, One World Human Rights Film Festival 2012
The Golden Butterfly Award: A Matter of Act Competition, Movies That Matter 2012
Special Jury Award and Audience Award, IDFA 2011

Directed by: Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi
Year: 2011
Running Time: 90′

In partnership with:

With the presidential elections scheduled at end of May, a possible run-off mid June and the trial verdict of President Hosni Mubarak expected, Goodbye Mubarak goes back to the period before Egypt’s leader was ousted by the people.

The film examines the anger and discontent brewing in the country before people took to the streets on 25 January 2011. Filmed in late 2010, it shows the impact of the November legislative elections and the people’s outrage amid charges of ballot fixing, bullying and dirty tricks by Mubarak’s National Democratic Party.

Having recently travelled back to Egypt for the first time after shooting the film, Katia Jarjoura will share her experience and insight on the current situation in Egypt 18 months after the start of the uprising.

Followed by a Q&A with director Katia Jarjoura

Directed by: Katia Jarjoura

Year: 2011

Running Time: 72′

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Can everyday people change the world? With conflicts raging across the world and European governments imposing stringent austerity measures, people are wondering more and more how they can play a role in shaping their future.

Steve Crawshaw, author of a new book to be published in September entitled Small Acts of Resistance: How Courage, Tenacity, and Ingenuity Can Change the World, will be discussing the potential for individuals to take on injustice and oppression in the world today.

Looking at current examples including Iran and Burma we will be discussing what people are able to achieve in the face of the powerful who have armies and police on their side. Are we powerless to change anything or are there acts of defiance, some of which are so small they are missed by the mainstream media, that can make a big difference?

Charied by Humphrey Hawksley, leading BBC foreign correspondent, author and commentator on world affairs.

With:

Steve Crawshaw, international advocacy director Amnesty International;

Saeed Kamali Dehghan, Iranian journalist who writes frequently for the Guardian;

Tin Htar Swe, head of the BBC Burmese Service;

Alice Ukoko, founder and CEO of Women Of Africa working for gender transformation for Africa’s reform.