Introduction
Scheduled for September 24–28, 2025, in Jalingo, the Taraba Human Rights International Film Festival (TAHRIFF) is set to be the first-ever human rights–themed film festival in Northern Nigeria, heralding a new era for creative advocacy and civic engagement.
HARNESSING FILM TO ILLUMINATE INJUSTICE
Across Taraba and the wider Northeast, communities are grappling with entrenched challenges—human trafficking, banditry, domestic violence, drug abuse, healthcare deficits, and a staggering number of out-of-school children, including those displaced by conflict. These issues erode human dignity, perpetuate cycles of poverty, and threaten social cohesion.
TAHRIFF offers a uniquely powerful platform to bring these realities to light—leveraging cinema’s emotional resonance to foster awareness and empathy.
SPOTLIGHT ON KEY REGIONAL CONCERNS
Human Trafficking & Out-of‑School Children
Taraba has taken legislative and policy steps—criminalizing trafficking and launching free education—to counter vulnerabilities in children, especially those susceptible to exploitation. By telling the stories of affected children and survivors, films can humanize statistics and ignite public dialogue toward inclusive educational access.
Gender-Based Violence & Domestic Abuse
The festival’s commitment to human rights broadens the scope for films addressing violence against women, empowering survivors to speak up and communities to mobilize.
Banditry & Armed Conflict
Conflict, displacement, and insecurity have disrupted lives and livelihoods across the region. Through truth-telling and storytelling, TAHRIFF can cultivate empathy and inspire conversations around peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Drug Abuse & Poor Health Infrastructure
Inadequate healthcare and growing substance abuse are critical threats. Documentaries and short films can expose the human toll of these issues and catalyze advocacy for better services and support systems.
Why TAHRIFF Matters
1. Amplifying Marginalized Voices
The festival’s core mission—to “restore human dignity” and “project indigenous creativity”—places community narratives at the heart of human rights discourse, providing visibility to those too often overlooked.
2. Educational Outreach and Youth Engagement
TAHRIFF includes school tours, essay competitions, and creative workshops—tools designed to spark awareness among youth and nurture future advocates.
3. Building Dialogue Between Stakeholders
Panels and cultural performances will convene filmmakers, policymakers, community leaders, and audiences—enabling constructive dialogue around policy, security, and service delivery.
4. Cultural Pride and Soft Power
By celebrating Taraba’s rich cultural heritage through dance, drama, and storytelling, TAHRIFF strengthens communal identity and ownership over pressing social issues.
5. Institutional Momentum & Global Support
With backing from partners like Movies that Matter and strategic mentorship from existing festivals such as the Rock International Film Festival (RIFF), TAHRIFF benefits from institutional wisdom and global visibility.
CONCLUSION
TAHRIFF’s inaugural edition is more than a cinematic showcase—it’s a movement. In a region beset by overlapping crises—from trafficking and displacement to poverty and violence—film can speak where words cannot. TAHRIFF provides a space to see, hear, reckon, and act.
By amplifying indigenous narratives, engaging young minds, and bridging civic discourse with art, TAHRIFF holds promise as a catalyst for peace, empathy, and sustainable change in Northeastern Nigeria.
by Cynthia Ganchok
