The international film festival "Open Your Eyes" against racism and xenophobia will take place in St. Petersburg, Russia from March 21-25.

“Open your eyes!” is an independent open platform for discussion and exchange of opinions to come to terms with overcoming the problem of racism and xenophobia in St. Petersburg, Russia and Europe, initiated by public organizations of St. Petersburg.

This year the Film Festival is located in the biggest alternative cinema of St. Petersburg – “Dom Kino”.

The program includes:

• Screenings of contemporary art-house and documentary movies about the topics racism and xenophobia, from UK, USA, Sweden, Germany and Russia
• A series of discussions with invited guests and experts – famous human rights activists, scientists, journalists, film directors, city representatives and NGO-activists – organizers and participants of specific projects working against xenophobia in Russia and Europe
• An exhibition of the work of young photographers from different countries about the problem of ethnic intolerance in St. Petersburg

The aim of the film festival is, on the one hand, to gain public recognition in St. Petersburg for the problem of xenophobia and to offer the possibility for personal contributions to strengthen a tolerant society. On the other hand, a joint venture between initiatives already existing in Petersburg working against racism and xenophobia should be supported. The aim is to establish a stable community, which can counter radical movements in an effective way.

Entrance to all film festival events is free.

Organizers of the Film Festival:

Regional non-profit organization “German-Russian Exchange”, with active support of the social-democratic youth association, information centre “Fotodepartment”, AISEC, Foundation “German-Russian meeting centre at the Petri church in St.Petersburg”, Centre for German and European Studies, Upsala-circus and further organizations in St. Petersburg, which work in the field of prevention of racism and xenophobia.

For more information or to arrange a film contribution contact:

Julia Neumann

Assistant for cultural projects

German-Russian Exchange

St.Petersburg, Russia

neumann.jule@googlemail.com

For more info see: www.obmen.org