The Power of Clothing No.28: Refugee Film Festival
Last Men in Aleppo is a documentary about the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue brigade dedicated to saving people buried under rubble by the constant airstrikes on Aleppo. But these men have families, too. The onrush of perilous scenarios and life-threatening situations will leave you breathless.
Last Men in Aleppo (2017) Director: Feras Fayyad, Co-director: Steen Johannessen
Last Men in Aleppo was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 90th Academy Awards and was the winner of the World Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival along with 23 other film awards worldwide. Distributed by UNITED PEOPLE / ©Larm Film
Filmed as ever-greater numbers of people from Syria, Afghanistan and Africa journeyed to Europe via land and sea in search of peace, the documentary Midnight Traveler offers a refugee's perspective on the 5600km road from Afghanistan, filmed from a point of view you won’t see on the news.
Midnight Traveler (2019) Director: Hassan Fazili
Midnight Traveler received Second Place Panorama Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival, along with two special mentions. The film also received a Grand Jury Award Special Mention at Sheffield DocFest and was the winner of the Special Jury Award for No Borders at the Sundance Film Festival, along with 23 other film awards. Distributed by UNITED PEOPLE / ©2019 OLD CHILLY PICTURES LLC.
Made in a nation that has received large numbers of refugees, Welcome to Germany is about a wealthy family who opens up their home to a young man from Nigeria as their household teeters on collapse—comically depicting the everyday side of hosting refugees, this feature film was a resounding domestic success.
Welcome to Germany (2016) Director: Simon Verhoeven
Welcome to Germany was the highest-grossing German film of 2016, drawing 4 million viewers to cinemas. Awards include Most Successful Film at Lola German Film Awards 2017 and the Best Production Award and Audience Award at the Bavarian Film Awards. Available on DVD and Prime Video. Distributed by cetera INTERNATIONAL / © 2016 Wiedemann & Berg Film GmbH & Co. KG / Sentana Filmproduktion GmbH / SevenPictures Film GmbH
Centring on a Kurdish high-school girl whose family took refuge in Japan when she was little, My Small Land touches on the bruising asylum process through its portrayal of a family that feels like they could be living right next door.
My Small Land (2022) Director: Ema Kawawada
My Small Land won the Silver Medal for Best Director at the 2022 Kaneto Shindo Awards, Best New Actress at the 45th Fumiko Yamaji Awards, Best Supporting Actress at the 47th Hochi Film Awards, and the Amnesty International Film Award Special Mention at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival. Available on DVD and Prime Video. ©2022 “My Small Land” Production Committee
Reflections on the Refugee Film Festival / Japan for UNHCR
Over 120 million people have lost their homes due to violent conflict or oppression—a harrowing number nearing the population of Japan, and one that is rising at this very moment. Behind this staggering figure are real people who care for their families and dream of happier times. Waking up one day to find yourself a “refugee” doesn’t negate the rich uniqueness of a human life.
We believe that film can raise support throughout Japan. That’s part of why the Refugee Film Festival was started in 2006. Through a hybrid programme consisting of online and in-person screenings, these jewels of cinema convey the strength of those who persevere against adversity, inspiring a sense of hope so that refugees can leave behind that word and be themselves.
November 2025 marks the twentieth year of the festival.
Click here for more information about the Refugee Film Festival