A Film festival hopes to spark conversation about human rights

By Kelly  Doles. This story was originally aired in Grand Forks on WDAZ on November 8, 2018. The original story can be found online here.

GRAND FORKS — A film festival is hoping to spark conversation about some tough topics.

The Empire Arts Center is kicking off a series of films which will play throughout the region next week.

It’s all a part of the Human Rights Film and Arts Festival.

Over 31 films in total will be shown across Grand Forks, Bismarck and Fargo.

The films are taking on human rights topics that stood out in each city.

Festival organizers said they based Grand Forks’ theme off of feedback from area experts.

“Just about all of the voices came back and said the racial tensions between new Americans and immigrants and former refugees and the traditional white Grand Forks neighborhood,” said The Human Family’s executive director Sean Coffman.

The Thursday night screening runs from 6-10 p.m.

Tickets are $15 at the door and $2 for students and seniors.

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