The competition is organized by the Passion for Freedom, an independent group of friends standing up for freedom of speech and artistic expression expressed by the means of art.

The annual festival is a rare collection of works of “courageous artists” from the category of film, photo, picture, sculpture, publication, book, and other means of artistic expression. So far the competition attended more than 150 works of artists from all over the world, including the United Kingdom (Sarah Maple, Steve Rosenthal, Fiona Dent, Robb Leech, and others)

“Brave” artists from around the world such as Ai Wei Wei (3 months in prison and a ban on contacting the media), Jafar Panahi (several times arrested on charges of propaganda against the Islamic Republic), Johan van der Dong (there are no galleries in Europe which would have the courage to show his works for the fear of attacks), Ferri Farrahmandi, Azadeh Behroozi and many others – showed their works at the PFF festival and still dare to create despite the threat of their live and safety of their family. Some are forced to hide behind a nickname, others withdraw their works or self-censor themselves to avoid “offending religious feelings”.

Artists are becoming more powerful and taking a stand on human rights, which are violated around the world. Female circumcision, honor killings, and repression of women all following an absurd Sharia law are happening here in Europe – in such cases, artists can take a stand and make their voices audible here at the festival by the River Thames. Often visitors call the festival ‘a thrill festival’.

The festival was held in November at the UNIT24 gallery next to the Tate Modern.

1st Prize Freedom Ambassador 2014 – Victoria Burgher for The Perfect Stone

2nd Prize – Melano Sokhadze for Plan today for tomorrow with our foresight advise

3rd Prize – Bee Flowers for Head#6

Special Freedom Award went to Lara Jacoski for Balansophy

Public Award – Martha Mosse for performance The Slut, the Spinster and the Perfect Woman

After last year’s success of selecting and screening Ai Wei Wei’s Never Sorry
and awarding Rob Leech’s My Brother the Islamist – the Festival decided to add a special selection of films to the Art programme this year.
The Film Section of the festival selects film makers who’ve proved their passion for freedom in a politically correct or sensitive environment whilst answering with their work on 3 questions:

1. WHAT IS FREEDOM?
2. HOW TO CELEBRATE IT?
3. HOW TO PRESERVE IT?

Recognizing the importance of documentary and feature films in freedom movements, the Film Section of the festival has short-listed films for its artistic values and meaningful impact on societies.
All the trailers of the nominees are being published on the festival
Youtube channel inspiring thousands of concerned citizens to watch quality films.
Set in a special setting of a gallery venue, surrounded by various art
creations of the festival, we arrange screenings for the awarded films followed by a talk with the film makers and more than a hundred members of the audience.
Every day a new trailer will be published. Watch this space Watch these movies.