The Human Rights Arts & Film Festival is back for another year, bringing an agenda-setting program of events to venues across Australia. The highlight of the 2015 Festival schedule is the line-up of award-winning feature and short films, all tackling topics not normally found on the silver screen.

From rebuilding lives in post-earthquake Pakistan to marriage abduction in Ethiopia, global warming, food waste and the fight to save the world’s bees, this is a rare chance to engage with international viewpoints on the big issues and stories that never made the news. Co-presented with NGOs including Plan, Oxfam Australia and The Asylum Seeker’s Resource Centre, other events include pop-up exhibitions, breakfast roundtables and industry panels, including a ‘Meet the Filmmakers’ event with Damon Gameau, director of That Sugar Film.

While the bulk of the program is reserved for audiences in Melbourne and Sydney, there are film screenings on in almost every urban centre this year, including Alice Springs and Darwin. Check the HRAFF website to view your city’s schedule and to reserve your tickets.