May 30-31, 2022 Lillehammer, Norway

ARC will be at the World Expression Forum (WEXFO), dedicated to promoting freedom of expression around the world through high-quality advice, best practices, and analysis, to discuss the landscape of protecting artists at risk with fellow experts. WEXFO is cohosted by MIMETA, The International Resource for Impact in Storytelling (IRIS), PEN America, an International Cities of Refuge (ICORN). Artists are subjected to risks that stifle their voice and threaten their lives. Recent research commissioned by (IRIS) and the Ford Foundation, shows that the dangers filmmakers and other storytellers are exposed to are very similar to those faced by human rights and environmental defenders. They are targeted for uncovering wrong-doing and speaking truth to power, yet safety and security for creatives are often not included in strategies and discussions regarding human rights defenders’ needs. Annual reports by watchdog organizations show an increasing number of storytellers and their families killed, hurt, imprisoned, harassed, and threatened because of their work. This alarming reality not only deprives artists of the safety and freedom essential for their continued creativity but deprives us all from seeing our world of today through their stories. What more does recent research tell us about the risks facing these artists? What can we do about them? Who is already in action trying to protect these artists? Do they have enough resources to stand up to this threat? Do they coordinate with each other? These questions will be discussed by five of the most active organizations in the field of artist protection. They will bring you a feel of the topic from grassroots work in regions like the Middle East and Latin America, as well international efforts out of the USA and Europe. Moderator Laila Hourani, MIMETA Program Director | IRIS MENA Regional Lead Speakers Elisabeth Dyvik, International Cities of Refuge, ICORN Sara Isaac, Filmmaker/Coordinator, International Coalition for Film Makers at Risk Helena Nassif, Executive Director, Culture Resource-Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafi Peter Noorlander, Ford – IRIS Report Author, Strengthening Safety and Security Resources for Visual Storytellers and Journalists Julie Trebault, PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection (ARC)