Fifty-three films from 23 countries have been selected for screening in the 12th Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival which kicked off here today.

Various side events as seminars and interaction would also be organized as part of the Festival, advocating for human rights. The theme of the Festival is 'Social Justice', said Pandav Khatri, President of the Human Rights International Film Centre and the Festival Director.

"Internationally-renowned films have also participated in this edition. We have been regularly organizing this Festival for the promotion and screening of human rights-related films," Khatri said.

According to him, films like 'All We Imagine As Light', 'The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent', 'The Outrun', 'Anaar Daana' which had been awarded in world-famous film festivals as Cannes Film Festival and Berlin Film Festival are the highlights of this Festival.

People associated with the film sector from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India will attend the Festival which will run for four days. The Festival venues are the Film Development Board's meeting hall and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) auditorium hall.

The Human Rights Film Centre was established in 2009.