The Taraba Human Rights International Film Festival (TAHRIFF) 2025, yesterday extended its celebration of film and culture beyond the big screen with a special outreach program at the Global Methodist Church Nigeria Orphanage Home in Jalingo, the state capital.
The event, themed “Reclaiming Humanity through Film, Culture, and Creative Expression,” brought together over 100 children for a day filled with storytelling, performances, and shared laughter.
The festival team, led by the festival Director, Moses Samuel, transformed the orphanage’s multipurpose hall into a mini cinema, where children watched a curated selection of short films and animations, with each screening focused on themes such as friendship, honesty, courage, empathy, and hope.
Speaking during the event, the festival director, encouraged the children to hold on to their dreams.
“These children are the true reason we tell stories to remind every young soul that they matter, that their voices count, and that their dreams are valid.
“Through film, we can plant seeds of hope, compassion, and creativity in their hearts. That is the spirit of TAHRIFF reclaiming our shared humanity through art and culture,” he said.
The program also gave the children an opportunity to take center stage, as they performed songs, traditional dances, poetry recitations, and a short drama titled “A New Tomorrow.”
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Their performances, centered on themes of love, unity, and hope, drew cheers and emotional applause from guests and volunteers.
Samuel emphasized that TAHRIFF is more than just a film festival; it is a movement for inclusion and social impact.
“Every year, we ensure the festival goes beyond theatres and screens. We bring cinema to the people to schools, villages, and homes like GMCN, where stories can inspire and transform lives.
“This is how we reclaim humanity and rebuild our shared moral foundation,” he said.
TAHRIFF, as gathered by our state correspondent, is a pioneering platform dedicated to promoting human rights, peace, and social transformation through film, culture, and creative expression.
Many of the young viewers who spoke with our teportwr, eagerly shared their thoughts and personal reflections, by underscoring the power of storytelling to inspire and educate.
The 2025 edition features film screenings, workshops, artistic showcases, and outreach programs across Taraba State, including advocacy visits to schools and orphanages.
