The 9th ANHAR Award for Best Human Rights Film
During the closing ceremony of the 15th edition of Karama Human Rights Film Festival (Karama HRFF) in Amman, the 9th ANHAR Regional Award for Best Human Rights Film – 2024 was presented to the Syrian documentary “My Memory is Full of Ghosts” directed by Anas Zawahri. The award recognizes outstanding cinematic works that contribute to promoting human rights values through film.
The winning film (74 minutes, Syria, 2024) offers a profound reflection on the meaning of memory in societies affected by violence and displacement. Through personal stories and collective experiences, the film raises essential questions about whether remembering the past can help prevent the recurrence of violence and contribute to the pursuit of justice.
The ANHAR jury also granted a Special Mention to the Palestinian documentary “Gaza Sound Man” by Hossam Abu Dan (Qatar/Palestine, 2024). The film documents the transformation of daily life in Gaza following recent attacks, capturing both the deep anguish and the enduring hope of its people.
The nominated films for the 9th ANHAR Regional Award for Best Human Rights Film (2024) included a diverse selection of works from across the Arab region and beyond:
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Al Haya Helwa: A Letter to Gaza (Norway/Palestine/Qatar, 2023) – Mohamed Jabaly
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We Never Left (Lebanon, 2024) – Loulwa Khoury
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My Memory is Full of Ghosts (Syria, 2024) – Anas Zawahri (Winner)
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Souhait (Tunisia, 2024) – Adel Bakri
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A State of Passion (Palestine/Lebanon, 2024) – Carol Mansour & Muna Khalidi
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Gaza Sound Man (Qatar/Palestine, 2024) – Hosam Abu Dan (Special Mention)
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EMNA (Tunisia, 2024) – Bouslama Chamakh
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The Mother of All Lies (Morocco/Egypt/Saudi Arabia/Qatar, 2023) – Asmae El Moudir
The ANHAR Regional Award, presented annually by the Arab Network for Human Rights Film Festivals (ANHAR), supports filmmakers whose work addresses urgent human rights issues and amplifies voices from the region. The award also includes a financial contribution aimed at supporting the continued distribution and promotion of the winning film.
The announcement of the award formed an important highlight of Karama HRFF 2024, reinforcing the role of cinema as a powerful platform for dialogue, memory, and justice.
