Ultra-topical and powerful story of two African men making the epic journey from Burkino Faso to Italy, only to find that life is no bed of roses in Western Europe either.

From its international premiere at Critics Week in Cannes comes Mediterranea, a riveting drama from the filmmaking collective behind Beasts of the Southern Wild. The film charts the struggle of Ayiva and Abas, Burkinabe brothers who cross oceans and deserts to pursue a better life. But the promise of opportunity soon turns to frustration when faced with the hardships of racist small-town Italy. Building the narrative upon the 2010 Rosarno riots and the real life journey of electric first-time performer Koudous Seihon, filmmaker Jonas Carpignano injects a powerful sense of urgency into this unmissable film.

Screening followed by discussion with Jude Sunderland, associate director, Europe and Central Asia division, Human Rights Watch.

The 2016 Human Rights Film Festival in London will be held on 9 – 18 March in different venues across London. More information can be found here.

Join the conversation: #HRWFF