We promote human rights by providing the world with thought-provoking documentary films.

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THE WHY FOUNDATION is a charitable organization that supports sustainable development by securing free access to reliable information for millions of people around the world. We produce and distribute documentaries & multimedia content about human rights, democracy, justice and equality. Our documentaries are used in schools, community centres, public cinemas and brought to citizens at large through our growing network of 70+ public service television stations in 200 countries and territories.

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News

Letter from THE WHY - activities with COVID-19

March 23, 2020

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THE WHY debates ‘Freedom' at CPH:DOX 2020

March 11, 2020

After last year’s successful WHY ARGUE?, THE WHY invites you to ASK WHY TALKS, a series of conversations to challenge, provoke and illuminate you on the topic of ‘freedom’, starting from three stories of people who have risked everything to be free.

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FILM OF THE MONTH: Pink Saris

March 6, 2020

Our March Film of the Month sheds light on one preeminent issue still hindering women’s empowerment today: India’s patriarchal caste system.

Read story

Letter from THE WHY - activities with COVID-19

March 23, 2020

THE WHY debates ‘Freedom' at CPH:DOX 2020

March 11, 2020

After last year’s successful WHY ARGUE?, THE WHY invites you to ASK WHY TALKS, a series of conversations to challenge, provoke and illuminate you on the topic of ‘freedom’, starting from three stories of people who have risked everything to be free.

FILM OF THE MONTH: Pink Saris

March 6, 2020

Our March Film of the Month sheds light on one preeminent issue still hindering women’s empowerment today: India’s patriarchal caste system.

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Projects

In response to the escalating environmental crises caused by plastic pollution, THE WHY is launching our newest campaign WHY PLASTIC? in 2021. The campaign will dig deep into the profit corporations make by upholding unsustainable chains of production, unjustly escaping their responsibility to help create a cleaner, healthier planet. It will also unveil

An annually curated series of documentary films which offer insightful, compelling stories about the world to the world. Documenting the lives of young women who take up the Hindu Nationalist Movements in India, to old men sharing their personal trauma's in Sauna's across Finland, WHY STORIES sheds a powerful light on the full spectum of human experience. Through an extensive network of broadcasters, schools and festivals, these documentaries are donated to countries around the world; from Peru to Palestine and Mongolia to Vietnam WHY STORIES reaches new audiences around the world.

ASK WHY? Film Club offers school-aged students the opportunity to engage with topical political issues through documentary film. Students from across Copenhagen are invited to monthly screenings of WHY STORIES films, which are especially selected to complement their educational curriculum.

The world's largest global media campaign about modern slavery. Six documentary films offer unprecedented access to the stories of people around the world who are living under the shadow of enslavement. Documenting the controversial system of prison labour in the US, to the human trafficking of children across India, WHY SLAVERY? offers a nuanced insight into the various manifestations of modern slavery - encouraging audiences to ask why and how slavery still exists today. Launching October 2018.

WHY WOMEN? utilized 6 documentaries and 10 short films to inspire Danish audiences to reflect on the state of women's wellbeing and rights both in Denmark and across the globe. The films offered compelling insights into the lives of women around the world; from Indian women training to be Solar engineer's, to the first female head of state in Liberia - prompting discussion about the measure's needed to achieve gender equality. A number of high-profile women took part in the campaign; from actress Dame Helen Mirren, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Puk Damsgård - award-winning Danish Journalist and Helle Thorning-Schmidt - the former Prime Minister of Denmark for their participation in the documentaries and the campaign.

A WHY POVERTY? takes an in-depth look at global inequality, asking how poverty continues to persist despite large amounts of foreign aid and increasing global wealth. WHY POVERTY? engaged a number of improtant decision makers, from former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, to Vadana Shiva, Indian activist. The 10 documentary films and 30 short films explore the connection between poverty, inequality and rising global wealth, inspiring millions of people to ask WHY POVERTY?The campaign won a Peabody Award for creating a nuanced, global discourse on poverty.

At the time of its launch, in 2007, WHY DEMOCRACY? was the largest ever factual media event of its kind. 10 documentary films exploring the threats to and contradictions within modern democratic structures, were broadcast by 48 partners in all continents, spanning 180 countries around the world. In the 10 years since it's launch, globalisation, corruption and the rise of the far right in established democracies make the WHY DEMOCRACY? films more relevant than ever.

Where we are

THE WHY works with partners across the world to extend free access to information for everyone.

upcoming Events

Jul

 

12

 to 

 

, 

2019

Playsafe Lifecare Foundation Maid in Hell Screening

The non-profit organization will screening THE WHY film to young audiences (19-30 yrs) in Nigeria.

Go to event

Where: 

Nigeria

Jul

 

2

 to 

 

, 

2019

Karama Beruit Human Rights Film Festival: Maid in Hell Screening

Maid in Hell will be screened as part of this human rights films festival, The former Kenyan Senator Emma Mbura, featured in the documentary, will join for a Q&A on the issue after the screening.

Go to event

Where: 

Beruit, Lebanon

Dec

 

9

 to 

Dec

 

12

, 

2019

Chimes of a New Moment – Revisioning Just Communities Festival Screening of 'Stealing Africa'

As part of the 'Chimes of a New Moment' Festival, Bangalore Film Society will screen our WHY POVERTY? film 'Stealing Africa' for the first time.

Go to event

Where: 

Bangalore, India

Aug

 

19

 to 

 

, 

2019

Foreign Correspondents Club Screening of My Afghanistan

The Thai Foreign Correspondents Club will host a screening of our WHY STORIES film 'My Afghanistan' to its members; local and international press to stimulate discussion and dialogue on stories that don't make the mainstream media.

Go to event

Where: 

Bangkok, Thailand

Jun

 

26

 to 

 

, 

2019

Maid in Hell Screening

Our partner HAART will screen this critically-acclaimed WHY SLAVERY? film to university students in Nairobi, Kenya.

Go to event

Where: 

Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya

Jun

 

19

 to 

 

, 

2019

Maid in Hell Screening in Nairobi

Our partner HAART Kenya will show our award-winning film Maid in Hell to school students.

Go to event

Where: 

Kenya Technical Training College, Gigiri KENYA

Jun

 

29

 to 

 

, 

2019

Maid in Hell Screening at Join Hands International

Our partner join hands international will hold a screening of the critically-acclaimed Maid in Hell.

Go to event

Where: 

Kampala, Uganda

May

 

29

 to 

 

, 

2019

Maid in Hell Screening

WHY SLAVERY? outreach continues with our partner Playsafe Life Care Foundation with a screening of our WHY SLAVERY? film at Senior Secondary School in Tepatan, Moro.

Go to event

Where: 

Moro, Nigeria

May

 

14

 to 

 

, 

2019

THE WHY at the Global Challenges Foundation

THE WHY will present its perspective on how we can best work towards the SDGs as part of an international panel for the Global Challenges Foundation.

Go to event

Where: 

London School of Economics

May

 

3

 to 

May

 

19

, 

2019

THE WHY Screenings for Europa

As part of the gallery's newest exhibition: Europa -THE WHY will be screening 4 thought-provoking documentaries that pose pertinent questions about the state of Europe today.

Go to event

Where: 

Kunsthal Charlottenborg

Mar

 

16

 to 

Mar

 

16

, 

2019

New Beginnings Charitible Trust Screening of Selling Children

On the 16th of March New Beginnings Charitable Trust holds its premier of 'Selling Children' in four medium and secondary schools.

Go to event

Where: 

India

Apr

 

1

 to 

Aug

 

31

, 

2019

WHY SLAVERY? Workshop series

Center Women and Modern World hosts a series of WHY SLAVERY? screenings throughout Azerbaijan's districts: Baku, Shamakhi, Ismayylly, Agsu and Khizi and Gobustan.

Go to event

Where: 

Azerbaijan

Mar

 

8

 to 

Mar

 

10

, 

2019

ONE WORLD Film Festival Maid in Hell Screening

One World Film Festival celebrates films with social impact and will be screening the WHY SLAVERY? film Maid in Hell

Go to event

Where: 

Prague, Czech Republic

Mar

 

4

 to 

Mar

 

7

, 

2019

Maid in Hell Screening at Playsafe Foundation

In collaboration with the grassroots human rights organization, Playsafe Foundation in Nigeria, we are hosting a screening of Maid in Hell among mature school students.

Go to event

Where: 

Nigeria

Mar

 

3

 to 

Mar

 

3

, 

2019

Maid in Hell Screening

In collaboration with HAART (Awareness against Human Trafficking Kenya) THE WHY is hosting a screening of this thought provoking film.

Go to event

Where: 

Catholic University of East Africa

Feb

 

19

 to 

Feb

 

19

, 

2019

A Woman Captured Screening in collaboration with the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office

This event will target policy-makers and political professionals to ensure those working in the sector better understand the insidious nature of modern slavery in Europe.

Go to event

Where: 

Brussels, Belgium

Feb

 

19

 to 

Feb

 

19

, 

2019

Maid in Hell Docubox Screening & Panel Discussion

In collaboration with Docubox, THE WHY is hosting a screening of Maid in Hell, followed by an expert panel discussion at Alliance Francaise in Nairobi, Kenya

Go to event

Where: 

Nairobi, Kenya

Dec

 

10

 to 

Dec

 

11

, 

2018

A Woman Captured Screening at British Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria

To mark International Human Rights Day the British Embassy in Sofia, in partnership with the UN Association of Bulgaria aims raise awareness about the topic of modern slavery by screening the award-winning WHY SLAVERY? film A Woman Captured.

Go to event

Where: 

Sofia, Bulgaria

Dec

 

10

 to 

 

, 

2018

Maid in Hell Film Screening & Debate with the UN

To mark the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN City and UNDP in collaboration with The WHY Foundation is hosting a screening of Maid in Hell, followed by a discussion of modern slavery.

Go to event

Where: 

UN City 51 Marmorvej 2100 København Ø

 

 to 

Oct

 

12

, 

Screening of A Woman Captured

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office are hosting a special screening of A Woman Captured at their Embassy in Sofia.

Go to event

Where: 

Sofia, Bulgaria

Nov

 

16

 to 

Nov

 

16

, 

2018

WHY SLAVERY? screening at Mwanga College DRC

Mwanga college is hosting multiple screenings of the WHY SLAVERY? films in the DRC, Africa.

Go to event

Where: 

Mwange College - The Democratic Repulic of Congo

Nov

 

16

 to 

Nov

 

16

, 

2018

A Woman Captured Screening at SOAS University

At 6pm SOAS Against Human Trafficking will host an event of the award-winning documentary A Woman Captured.

Go to event

Where: 

London, UK

Dec

 

2

 to 

Dec

 

2

, 

2018

"North Korea's Secret Slaves: Dollar Heroes" screening at Husets Biograf

Ever wondered how the North Korean regime is able to finance their nuclear program? To find out, join us for the screening of "North Korea's Secret Slaves: Dollar Heroes".

Go to event

Where: 

Husets Biograf Copenhagen

Nov

 

6

 to 

Nov

 

25

, 

2018

WHY SLAVERY? Tutti Nello Stesso Piatto Italian Film Festival

WHY SLAVERY? films are being screened at the Italian Film Festival aimed at connecting documentaries with social causes around the world. More details can be found on their website.

Go to event

Where: 

Trento, Italy

Oct

 

17

 to 

Oct

 

20

, 

2018

SHORT FILM Screenings at the Danish Women's Museum

Maid in Hell/ A Woman Captured/ Selling Children/ The Storm Makers/ One Bride/ Seven Cows or a Box of Heroin are being shown in a loop during the opening hours all week

Go to event

Where: 

Aarhus

Oct

 

17

 to 

Oct

 

21

, 

2018

WHY SLAVERY? Screenings at Kunsthal Charlottenborg

Screenings of the WHY SLAVERY? long & shorts are being shown in a loop at the art gallery.

Go to event

Where: 

Kunsthall Charlottenborg, Kongens Nytorv 1, 1050 København

Oct

 

26

 to 

 

, 

2018

Free Film Screening: Maid in Hell

Join us for a free film screening of Maid in Hell, followed by a Q&A with the director Søren Klovborg.

Go to event

Where: 

Cinemateket, 55 Gothersgade, 1123 Copenhagen

Oct

 

22

 to 

 

, 

2018

Free Film Screening: Jailed in America

Join us for the free screening of Jailed in America, from Academy award-winning Director Roger Ross Williams.

Go to event

Where: 

Cinemateket 55 Gothersgade, 1123 Copenhagen

Oct

 

19

 to 

 

, 

2018

Free Film Screening: A Woman Captured

Join us for a free screening of the award-winning film: A Woman Captured - 16:45 in Cinemateket

Go to event

Where: 

Cinemateket, 55 Gothersgade, 1123 Copenhagen

Oct

 

14

 to 

Oct

 

20

, 

2018

WHY SLAVERY? Short Films

WHY WOMEN? Short films will be shown on the loop at the Women's Museum in Aarhus Denmark.

Go to event

Where: 

Kvinde Museet Aarhus

Oct

 

22

 to 

Oct

 

28

, 

2018

UN Association Film Festival

Screening of North Korea’s Secret Slaves: Dollar Heroes

Go to event

Where: 

Brussels

Oct

 

9

 to 

 

, 

2018

North Korea’s Secret Slaves

Dollar Heroes presented at The European Parliament

Go to event

Where: 

Brussels

Oct

 

8

 to 

 

, 

2018

Why Slavery? Campaign Launch

World Premiere of Maid in Hell with Q&A with Director Søren Klovborg

Go to event

Where: 

Absalon, Copenhagen

Want to host an event?

GET INVOLVED

There are many ways you can support us

Donate

Make a one-off OR regular donation online

Outreach

Organise screenings and debates in your school, organisation or at your local cafe

Partner with us

Write us your idea about program or financial partnerships

FOR MORE INFORMATION on how you can support us please get in touch with us info@thewhy.dk