His Majesty King Hamad has become the patron of Bahrain's first international human rights film festival, which takes place in May.

The four-day festival, the first in the region and fourth in Asia, is spearheaded by the Bahrain Society for Public Freedom and Democracy Watch.

Its main aim is to raise public awareness, especially among the youth about regional and international human rights issues.

"The King's patronage of the festival really proves his support to democracy and civil society and creating a healthy environment in society where you can have freedom of expression," festival director Nasser Burdestani told the Gulf Daily News.

"We have received 11 films and more are on the way. They have been sent from the UK, France, the US, Japan, Uganda, Pakistan, Iran, Canada, Cameroon, Turkey. All the topics are related to the region."

More than 20 feature films and documentaries will be screened during the festival.

Films submitted include: It's a Free World (UK); Iraq Infringement (US), The Silent Water (France and Pakistan); Nakba (Japan); The Refugees are All Stars (Uganda); Sous Le Bomb (France); Sister-in-Laws (Cameroon); Ahlam (UK); Turtles Can Fly (Iran); and Targets: Reporters in Iraq (Canada).

The films will be given to the Information Ministry for approval this week.

"The topics are diverse and cover a lot of issues in relations to human rights, such as freedom of expression, Aids, migrant workers and torture," said Burdestani.

Candidates have until March 15 to submit their movies to organisers. Films chosen for the festival will be announced next month.

A prize for best movie will be awarded by 'Movies That Matter,' while an audience selection award will go to the best movie chosen by viewers.

The film festival will be held from May 1 to 4, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

It also coincides with Labour Day on May 1 and World Press Freedom Day on May 3.

The event is also held in memory of India's spiritual and political leader Mahatma Gandhi, who died in 1948.

"We want to promote Gandhi's non-violent theory and his promotion of peace," said  Burdestani. "The Indian Embassy will be submitting an 80-minute long documentary on Gandhi's life."

"We want to express to people that in this part of the world we support human rights. We want to share with movie-goers non-violence and the promotion of dialogue, understanding and tolerance with different cultures."

Festival films will be screened by Bahrain Cinema Company and cultural theatres. They will be open to the public for a nominal fee yet to be announced.

A festival website will be launched next week. The main sponsors are Social Development Ministry, which donated BD7,000, and 'Movies that Matter' which gave 5,000 euros (BD2,820). DHL is the courier sponsor.

The festival is also supported by Information, Foreign Affairs and Social Development ministries.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Nazar Al Baharna will promote the festival at the UN Human Rights Commission, Geneva, next month.

To submit a movie or sponsor the festival, contact Burdestani on 39423421 or e-mail nasserburdestani@yahoo.com. -TradeArabia News Service