The 15th edition of the Movies that Matter Festival focuses on Iran with a special themed programme. The murders of Mahsa Amini and Hadis Najafi in 2022 were the immediate cause for major demonstrations and protests, both in Iran and internationally. All the more reason for the festival to invite a number of Iranian filmmakers as main guests: Nafiss Nia, Maryam Ebrahimi and Ali Asgari. The public programme Iranian Classics also pays tribute to Iranian cinema.

Twenty-five short films have been selected for this year’s short programme. The short films are divided into 5 different thematic blocks.

The transition into a sustainable future is a slow one. What is needed to speed it up? And what dilemmas does this entail?

A colourful, diverse and sparkling themed programme about the right to be yourself and love who you want.

Brave, intimate and often healing films about the profound effects of mental health problems.

In Take on Power we show films about uneven power relations. And about people taking on forces and structures that seem bigger than themselves.

Festival Favourites features audience favourites that have proven their quality at international festivals.