The Center for Constitutional Rights is excited to co-sponsor the War on Terror Film Festival, a month-long, virtual program organized by the Coalition for Civil Freedoms featuring 20 award-winning films made over the last 20 years that document abuses, highlight crimes, and satirize absurdities of the so-called “War on Terror.”

Visit the War on Terror Film Festival website for the schedule of screenings and conversations throughout October, FAQs, registration, and panelist information. 

As the world reflects on two decades of the “War on Terror,” this virtual film festival will take viewers on a journey to bear witness to the devastating consequences of the United States’ wars and security state. Together, these films paint a picture of the experiences of those who bore the brunt of U.S. post-9/11 policies, as well as their pain, trauma, hope, and resilience.

The slate of featured films include documentary and narrative features and cut across genres from drama to comedy. They shine a spotlight on the wars on Afghanistan and Iraq, indefinite detention at Guantánamo Bay prison, torture, and surveillance. Each screening will be accompanied by a live panel discussion with filmmakers, actors, scholars, survivors, and resisters, who will reflect on the challenges of living through these policies and telling these stories.

Center for Constitutional Rights staff will join two of the live discussions: 

Saturday, October 2, at 11:30 a.m. EDT: Advocacy Program Manager Aliya Hussain will join other speakers to reflect on a series of films that highlight indefinite detention and torture at Guantánamo: The Mauritanian, The Road to Guantanamo, and The Confession.

Friday, October 29, at 8:00 p.m. EDT: Senior Staff Attorney Katherine Gallagher will join speakers to reflect on the film Ghosts of Abu Ghraib. The talk-back will also include a short video recording from CCR client Salah Al-Ejaili, an Abu Ghraib Torture survivor. 

All films and panel discussions will be accessible through the website. Register to receive email updates on the schedule and full, free access to watch the films. Follow and like @WOTFilmFestival on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and announcements.