The Embassies of Austria, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands have launched the 1st SDG Documentary Film Festival in Manila, in commemoration of the International Human Rights Day this December. In partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the festival showcases six international award-winning documentaries that highlight human rights.

Titled “Today is Our Future,” the film festival aims to raise awareness on the many facets of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with human rights at its core. The festival brings human rights issues closer to public’s awareness through the unique appeal of films as a platform of discourse for important issues in society.

“I am looking forward to meaningful conversations that would begin in response to this documentaries and I really believe that film is an effective medium to have these messages be understood by more people,” said Jo Andrew Torlao, FDCP’s Lead Officer for International Relations Division.

The SDGs, also referred to as the Global Goals, is a set of 17 goals which aim to eradicate extreme poverty, protect the environment, and improve the lives of everyone by 2030. While these goals are integrated and indivisible in nature, contemporary issues the world is facing today fall under certain targets of the SDGs, much as each film in the festival tackles specific SDGs:

1. The Green Lie (2017)

Austria’s “The Green Lie” takes on SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by discussing greenwashing and unethical marketing ploys of various brands claiming to be environment-friendly.

2. The War Show (2016)

Denmark’s “The War Show” highlights SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions as it follows the journey of a group of artists and activists who joined the 2011 street protests against Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad.

3. Thinking Like a Mountain (2018)

“Thinking Like a Mountain” by German film maker Alexander Hick tackles several SDGs in its documentation of the culture of the Arhuacos of Colombia. The film explores the indigenous life in the 21st century, and tackles isses related to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

4. Why We Cycle (2017)

Dutch documentary, “Why We Cycle,” uncovers effects of cycling on people, on society, and the cities– matters covered by SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

5. The Feminister (2018)

Sweden’s “The Feminister” takes on SDG 5: Gender Equality, as it follows the life of Swedish foreign minister Wallström in her 4 years in office.

6. Sunday Beauty Queen (2016)

Philippines’ “Sunday Beauty Queen” completes the lineup, tackling SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through the stories of 5 Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong who take part in annual beauty contest.

From December 6 to 8, the public may view the films for free at Cinema 4, Gateway Cineplex, through the J. Amado Araneta Foundation. The week-long festival started on December 2 with the in-campus screening of the films at the University of Sto. Tomas where the academic community engaged in post-film fora discussing human rights.

“When we talk about climate change, it is not only environmental problem but it’s clearly a human rights problem. If the sea levels rise, and weather extremes endanger communities and people’s access to clean water, (and) it shows that human rights are much more than what we traditionally associate with it… In order to live a dignified life, we have to live in harmony with our environment, our natural resources, and biodiversity,” said Kai Tomzig, Cultural Affairs Secretary of the German Embassy in Manila.

In 2015, 193 member-states of the United Nations, including the Philippines, adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which serve as a universal call to action to end poverty while protecting the environment, and ensuring that no one is left behind. The SDGs are incorporated in the government’s Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 and ‘Ambisyon Natin 2040.’