For the last two years, the Communication Studies Department has put on one of their largest events of the Colorado State University’s academic year: the Awaken Connect Transform Human Rights Film Festival. It will return for the third time April 5 through 14.

Created in an effort to spread the idea and appreciation of human rights, the festival features documentaries centering on various aspects of human rights from political oppression to financial disparities; one film even gets as specific as catcalling in São Paulo, Brazil.

Directors or participants in the production of the documentaries are invited to campus to speak about their work and answer questions from the audience. The festival takes place in various locations throughout Fort Collins, including the Lory Student Center, The Lincoln Center and The Lyric.

Tickets can be purchased on the festival’s website and cost $5 for students and $10 for community members. A full schedule of films and speakers can be found online as well.

In the past, a keynote speaker has been chosen for the event. Last year’s keynote speaker was famed musician and civil rights activist, Harry Belafonte. This year will instead feature several musicians featured in the documentaries. 

Some of this year’s most anticipated films include “69 Minutes of 86 Days,” “Dead Donkeys Fear No Hyenas,” “Mama Colonel” and “Minding the Gap.”

Additionally, a portion of the festival will be dedicated to student films to celebrate “excellence in the field of socially conscious cultural production,” according to the festival’s website.

Collegian reporter Nate Day can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @NateMDay