Our events stand at the intersection of culture, current affairs, and ethics, encouraging discussion about the way these matters influence society and the artistic imagination. We aim to bring people into a thoughtful setting where human rights and issues of social justice come to life, through several different formats.
Our Conversations feature public intellectuals, artists, government leaders, writers, activists, and many more, who come together in dialogue over timely cultural and political issues.
Two of our film-oriented categories, the Film Series and our widely-beloved annual International Short Film Competition, both use film as a powerful and expressive way to explore current events and the cultural climate of our time. Our newest series, Conversations on Essential Cinema: A Virtual Film Club, looks back on films that have influenced cinema and the culture surrounding it, and breaks them down in conversation with special guests.
With a more narrow focus on law, Trials & Error provides intimate conversations on important trials that have captured the public’s attention, while Law of the Land dissects the Supreme Court’s major rulings of the past year. One of our more recent projects, Theater of Law, features a dramatic reading of an ancient Greek tragedy–the murder trial of Orestes in Aeschylus’ Eumenides–performed by a rotating cast of stellar actors. The play presents the first trial by jury in Western culture and is followed by a discussion with the audience about the origins of justice, the end of blood vengeance, and the adoption of the rule of law.
Conversations feature illustrious government leaders, artists, writers, activists, thinkers, and other public figures in discussion on timely issues affecting the broader culture.
Read MoreThe Film Series features a mixture of new and classic films that speak to important issues about our present moment and conflicted past. A post-screening discussion is held with individuals involved in either the making or subject of the film. We are often joined by the filmmakers and lead actors.
Read MoreFOLCS’ Virtual Film Club looks back on specific films and breaks down their cultural and artistic significance in conversation with special guests.
Read MoreTrials & Error brings together perspectives from plaintiffs, defendants, lawyers, and journalists to dissect trials that captured the public’s attention.
Read MoreLaw of the Land is an annual program that dissects the Supreme Court’s major rulings of the past year.
Read MoreTheater of Law features a dramatic reading of an ancient Greek tragedy–the murder trial of Orestes in Aeschylus’ Eumenides–performed by a rotating cast of stellar actors. The play presents the first trial by jury in Western culture and is followed by a discussion with the audience about the origins of justice, the end of blood vengeance, and the adoption of the rule of law.
Read MoreThe International Short Film Competition is an inspiring platform for new artistic voices to relay important stories of human rights and social justice.
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