Local residents are in for a treat in two weeks.

Austin’s Human Rights Commission, in partnership with the Paramount Theatre and the Welcome Center, will present the first HRC Film Festival.

“We’ve been talking about doing a film festival for quite some time,” said Kirsten Lindbloom, HRC chairwoman. “(We were) wanting to find another avenue to encourage people to talk about and engage on things related to human rights.”

HRC members have discussed a film festival for several years, in fact. It wasn’t until the HRC received a $40,000 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield last year that people got serious about putting a festival on.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Kristi Beckman, HRC member. “There’s something for everyone for sure.”

The event, scheduled for May 20, 21 and 22, will feature mainstream flicks, short movies and foreign films that deal with human rights in some way. Among the most well-known movies are Shrek, which will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles, and Persepolis, an Oscar-nominated animated film about a young Iranian girl growing up during the Islamic Revolution. Based off of a graphic novel, the French-made film deals with her struggle to express herself amidst religious intolerance and restrictions to women’s rights.

Lindbloom said Shrek will be shown in Spanish as a way to recognize the Hispanic community in Austin, as well as provide a new way to view the film for families.

“We wanted to be able to do something to honor the diversity that we have, but at the same time … it’s a cultural experience to view a film in another language,” Lindbloom said.

Each movie is free to the public. HRC members will take donations however, as they hope to keep doing a film festival next year.

HRC Film Festival

Friday, May 20
7:30 p.m. — The Visitor

Saturday, May 21
1 p.m. —Shrek (Spanish with English subtitles)
3 p.m. — Bullied (short discussion following film)
4 p.m. — Freeheld (short discussion following film)
7:30 p.m. — Persepolis

Sunday, May 22
2 p.m. — For Once In My Life