ACT Human Rights Film Festival

The ACT Human Rights Film Festival is Colorado’s only festival dedicated to human rights and social justice cinema, founded in 2016 as a program of Colorado State University’s Department of Communication Studies. Held each April in Fort Collins — opening on the CSU campus and continuing at the independent Lyric theater — the week-long, primarily documentary festival pairs artistically excellent films with filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, and its Call to ACT program, which connects screenings to local and regional advocacy organizations. Over its first decade, ACT drew more than 18,000 attendees, presented over 200 films from around the world, and hosted more than 150 filmmakers, scholars, and activists. The festival’s name reflects its mission to Awaken audiences to global issues, Connect them in conversation, and Transform how they engage.