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A new short film “A Thousand Colours” celebrates our cultural diversity
Cultural diversity is essential for societies that are innovative, economically vibrant, and favourable to freedom of expression and human rights. The urgency of its protection is articulated in the which states that cultural diversity is “as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature.”
The film “A Thousand Colours” draws on these words as well as testimonies from global actors and defenders of artistic freedom. Featuring footage from projects made possible through the UNESCO International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD), the film addresses the challenges that many artists face, as well as the incredible potential of creativity to transform the lives of individuals and communities.
The new film, with the generous support of the Khalili Foundation, features UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors and Artists for Peace, including , , , , and These luminaries are joined by members of UNESCO’s Expert Facility for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, Ernesto Ottone R., to share their reflections on what cultural diversity means to them.
Everyone must be able to participate in every art they want to, because it’s a human right to learn and it is a human right to express yourself in your own way. Art is not only about drawing or about singing, it’s about expressing emotions and expressing thoughts. And if I did not have art, I would be very alone in my own thoughts.
We also witness the impact of cultural and creative projects supported by the IFCD in Haiti, Indonesia, and South Africa, from building a streaming platform for African musicians to supporting Caribbean women artists to upholding artistic freedom. Since its establishment in 2010, IFCD has financed over 140 projects around the world.
The International Fund for Cultural Diversity is a fantastic instrument that […] puts funds at the disposal of governments, public institutions and NGOs who are working in this often-neglected policy field of trying to create the conditions in which artistic work can take place and artistic work can get to audiences.
Viewers will appreciate the IFCD as a driver of bottom-up change and indispensable tool for UNESCO to support robust cultural and creative industries, particularly in the Global South. As the film testifies, it contributes to the vision of societies where people everywhere can find decent employment through culture and creativity.
The IFCD depends entirely on voluntary contributions. To learn more about contributing to the Fund and supporting the vision of the world full of colours and diversity, click here.
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