Mission and vision

We believe that justice and equality begin with awareness, and awareness begins with stories. Yet around the world, many of these stories are silenced. Filmmakers, journalists and activists who dare to tell them risk their freedom, their safety and sometimes even their lives.

Not all stories are silenced by violence or censorship. Some remain untold because they happen behind closed doors, close to home: stories of abuse, exclusion, or pain passed on through generations. Others unfold on a global scale, shaped by politics, power, and inequality.

We exist to create space for all of them. By making injustice visible and amplify those who speak truth to power, we challenge what is taken for granted, connect people and perspectives, and inspire change.

Ever since our start we believe in the power of collective film experiences to raise awareness, foster understanding, and shift narratives. When shared and placed in context, film can break through indifference or cynicism. That is what makes it such a powerful means of involving people in the fight for human rights and a sustainable society.

Movies that Matter began in 1996 as the Amnesty International Film Festival in Amsterdam and became independent in 2006. We launched an extensive educational programme in the Netherlands and start shaping and supporting a broad international network of film festivals, filmmakers and activists. In 2009 we moved the festival to The Hague, the International City of Justice and Peace, home to the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court.

We work to empower the global human rights film community to raise awareness, engage audiences and spark action to champion human rights worldwide.

Our work is guided by three core principles:

• Challenging what is taken for granted;
• Connecting people and perspectives, and
• Inspiring change through the power of film.

These principles shape two objectives:

• to show films about human rights, preferably accompanied by a context programme, and
• to stimulate screening of such films worldwide.

What we do

We bring films and people together through our annual Movies that Matter Festival. We develop educational programmes, host events, and support film festivals worldwide with advice and expertise. By linking international filmmakers, festivals, activists and audiences, we build and strengthen ecosystems for human rights film.

Note: We do not support film production financially.

Films are at the heart of all our activities. But what makes a movie that matters?

All films can be considered important in their own right. We don’t define importance; we curate what we believe matters. We select films based on their subject, artistic quality and the maker’s vision, offering bold, fresh perspectives on stories often untold or unseen. A movie that matters harnesses the power of cinema and has the potential to make an impact: from sparking local conversations to influencing international policy.

We do not limit ourselves to a single form or genre. What unites the films we select is their focus on situations where human dignity is at stake. In making our selection, we look at both the urgency of the theme and the potential to deepen our audience’s understanding and perspective.

Donations

Non-profit foundation Movies that Matter is designated as an ANBI organisation by the Dutch tax collectors office. Your donation is tax-deductible under condition.

VAT id: NL815457492 B01
IBAN: NL82RABO 0114942706
CoC no.: 34244064
RSIN no.: 815457492