Refugee Film Festival opens in Japan - NHKニュース

The Refugee Film Festival has opened to raise awareness of the challenges facing more than 100 million people displaced by conflict or persecution.

The annual event is organized by a nonprofit group called Japan for UNHCR. The body supports the UN refugee agency.

About 330 people attended screenings of three films in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Thursday.

One of the films was "Allies in Exile." The documentary traces events in Syria from the start of the civil war in 2011 to the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government in 2024.

It also shows how bombings affected local residents and how the two men who made the film were forced to flee the country but held on to hope despite an uncertain future.

A second-year high school student who watched the films said they made refugee issues feel more relevant to her. She added that she wants to help refugees and raise awareness of the challenges they face.

UNHCR says roughly 117 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict or persecution. But the agency adds that it has not been able to provide sufficient aid due to funding shortages.

Japan for UNHCR official Yamazaki Reiko said she wants people to recognize that refugees are humans just like everyone else. She added that she hopes the festival will encourage viewers to think about what peace means for them.

The festival runs through December 6. This year's edition features eight films. Seven of them are available to watch online across Japan. Another round of in-person screenings is scheduled for November 30 in Tokyo.