On the occasion of the World Refugee Day, celebrated worldwide on 20th of June, Slovene Philanthropy and Zavod Voluntariat for the 3rd year in a row organize the »On the Road« migrant film festival. Once again, the festival programme will offer local audiences a selection of insightful and provocative films focused on topics related to migrations, asylum and refugees.

CALL FOR FILMS 2012

REGISTRATION FORM 2012

The Convention on the Status of Refugees from 1951 defines a refugee as a person who »owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it«. (Convention on the Status of Refugee from 1951, preamble, 1st chapter)

Within this festival we wish to further expand the traditional concept of a refugee as defined in the Geneva Convention on the status of refugees (1951) and bring our attention to all people who are forced to leave their home and seek protection and an opportunity for a decent life outside of their home countries.

Through screenings and conversations with experts, authors and other guests we invite audience to reflect on reasons which lead refugees and other migrants to leave their homelands. These vary and range from struggles or persecution related to individuals'

personal circumstances such as political convictions, ethnic origins, religious beliefs or sexual orientation to societal and economical struggles in their community. Personal circumstances and uneven economic and social development of states on the regional and global level remain amongst the principal reasons for migrations. However, the new century brings along new factors such as climate and other environmental changes which are causing new waves and directions of migration flows and produce new “categories” of migrants such as, for example, “environmental refugees”.

Presented films, stories and expert insight bring into light the struggles and hardships migrants worldwide face daily in their quest to find and settle in their new home. They remind us that migration remains one of the principal global trends of the 21st century and teach us that our (collective) efforts and critical assessment of existing local and international migration and asylum policies are needed to provide migrants with adequate opportunities for integration and decent life.

Still, the vision of the festival is a bright one! Its purpose lays in providing local audiences with an opportunity to learn about different aspects of migrations, migrants and their cultures, but also to promote countless stories of hope that can inspire anyone and everyone to contribute to improvement of conditions for migrants in our home communities. For our mission is not only to spread knowledge, but to use knowledge and understanding to foster sentiments of acceptance and inclusion needed for establishment of tolerant, just society and growing society.