World Beyond War annual virtual film festival is this Saturday, March 14

Day 1 of our annual virtual film festival is this Saturday, March 14! This year’s film line-up examines the increasing repression of nonviolent protest, criminalization of dissent, and the curtailing of freedom of speech worldwide. Reserve your ticket here to get access to the films and the Zoom link for the live panel discussions. 

We’re kicking off Day 1 on this Saturday, March 14 with a discussion of the film “Boycott” about legislation in dozens of states across the U.S. designed to penalize individuals and companies that choose to boycott Israel due to its human rights record. In the panel discussion, we will hear from two of the protagonists featured in the film who took their respective states to court to protect their freedom of speech. Additionally, we’ll be joined by panelists from around the world to speak about anti-BDS policies and repression of Palestinian rights activism worldwide. 

Day 2 on Saturday, March 21 will discuss the new 2025 documentary, ”Silenced: The War on Journalism.” The first half of the film focuses on Israel’s repression and deliberate targeting of journalists in Gaza. The second half of the film broadens the scope of the discussion to illustrate the increase in attacks on journalists worldwide and the repression of freedom of speech, including in Mexico, Philippines, and the U.S. 

The panel discussion will be moderated by WBW Executive Director David Swanson with special guest Jeff Cohen and other panelists to be announced. Jeff Cohen founded the media watch group FAIR in 1986. He is the author of Cable News Confidential: My Misadventures in Corporate Media.

Day 3 on Saturday, March 28 will focus on the film, ”Solidarity Crime,” which exposes both the systematic policies of human rights violations against migrants as well as all those who have stood in solidarity with them. The documentary presents their stories through interviews with migrants (at the borders of Europe, in 14 cities and 5 countries), and with those who have been sanctioned and continue to face prosecution for facilitating – without any material benefit – the entry, transit, or stay of migrants.

Building on the themes of the film, the March 28 panel discussion will explore how war and conflict drive mass displacement. And how the very same weapons companies profiting from war and conflict cash in when governments militarize borders and block the movement of people fleeing violence. 

One ticket to the film festival gets you access to all 3 films and the Zoom link for the live panel discussions. You can watch the films on your own time leading up to the Zoom sessions.

For a world beyond war,

Greta Zarro
Organizing Director
World BEYOND War
[email protected]