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Passion for Freedom London

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

Royal Opera Arcade Gallery & La Galleria Pall Mall

1 october – 13 october 2018

CATEGORIES: ART, FILMS

Passion for Freedom is the groundbreaking London art festival that celebrates freedom of expression through the arts. With the launch of this commemorative book, Passion for Freedom is coming to the United States for the first time.
“The festival works now as an indicator for the level of freedom on a given continent, nation or even city. At our exhibition you will see what is happening in Venezuela, China, Pakistan, England or Poland and we are succeeding in removing the veil from these places. It seems anyone who limits freedom inevitably faces an artist’s brush or singers verse, tyrants and great artistic movements go hand in hand.
As Picasso said, “No painting is made to decorate apartments, it is an offensive and defensive weapon against the enemy,” says Camilla Forest, founder of Passion for Freedom.
For 10 years the festival has shown works from over 600 artists representing 55 countries. Their art book of the same name showcases works from artists featured in the festival including, Mimsy, Ai Wei Wei, Malala, Jafar Panahi, Matt Gee, and many others. This important book celebrates the artist’s voice in the enduring, worldwide struggle for freedom.

“The festival has a simple mission – which is to display the work of artists who are thinking seriously about freedom, what it means and how you preserve it. Passion for Freedom celebrates the people who not only do it, but who mean it.”
Douglas Murray Journalist, broadcaster and best selling author

2018 EXHIBITION

CATEGORY: ART

AWARDS:

Freedom Ambassador, Golden Award – Tian Jiang for “Golden Shield Project”, China

Freedom Ambassador, Silver Award – Ada Trillo for “La Lova – Prostitute Ciudad Juarez”, USA/Mexico (Lee Weinberg pictured in Ada Absence)

Freedom Ambassador, Silver Award – Gosia Poraj for “Courage”, United Kingdom/Poland

Special Award – Kim Gongsan for “Camp 16 in North Korea”, USA/North Korea

People’s Choice Award – Farnoush Amini for “Stoned”, United Kingdom/Iran

Special Award in memorial of Theo van Gogh – Collected by Theo’s Best Friend: the Comedian Hans Teeuwen

CATEGORY: FILM

AWARDS:

GOLD AWARD – When God Sleeps (2017) by Till Schauder

For the bravery of artists standing up to oppressive hierarchies despite the mortal danger involved.
The story of an Iranian musician whose music challenges the social, political and religious system. He is willing to sacrifice everything in return for liberty.
Shahin Najafi stands up to the Ayatollah of Iran never compromising even after a fatwa is issued.

SILVER AWARD – A Todo Color by Randy Valdes

For highlighting the history of Cuban heroes, Cuban music and their struggle for freedom of expression. In honor of the Cuban musicians who fought for liberty using the power of song, telling their forbidden stories using the powerful medium of music.
The forbidden music of Cuba

BRONZE AWARD – Changing the World, One Wall at a Time by Maryam Ishani

For remembering those whom everyone else forgot.
This film shows how street art can be a great weapon in the fight for freedom. Graffiti transports freedom straight into the heart of communities, translating the message into the language of the streets
Changing the World, One Wall at a Time, a documentary feature film on Education Is Not A Crime – one of the world’s largest street art and human rights campaigns, which raises awareness of educational discrimination by Iran’s government against tens of thousands of Baha’is.

PRESS RELEASE: