Competitions

Take a look at the eight award winners of the Movies that Matter Festival 2023.

The Grand Jury Documentary Award is made possible by HUMAN. For the third time, we will present the Grand Jury Documentary Award in 2023. Eight documentaries will be selected from the festival’s full film programme. These are films where cinematography and content go hand in hand. An international jury will declare the winner of €5,000.

For the third time in 2023, we will present the Grand Jury Fiction Award. Eight fiction films will be selected from the festival’s full film programme. These are films where cinematography and content go hand in hand. An international jury will declare the winner of €5,000.

Eight inspiring documentaries about the work of human rights activists from all over the world. Meet the activists during our festival, where they engage with the public and participate in an impact and networking programme to raise awareness of the film, expand their work and network.

Justice has many faces. Sometimes it may arrive quickly. Sometimes it requires years of struggle. One thing our Camera Justitia competition makes more than clear: justice cannot happen without courage.

The Dutch Movies Matter competition focuses on Dutch feature films and documentaries. As different as they are, they have one thing in common: they focus their lens on social injustices and human dignity.

All twenty-five short films from the Shorts programme have a chance to win the Shorts Award and a prize money of €1,500.

Students’ Choice is a competition of three films with a wide variety of themes and genres. Each year, a student jury from Leiden University delves into the festival programme for the selection of the nominated films. The winner of the Students’ Choice Award will be announced during the Award Night.

The Movies that Matter Audience Award 2023 is supported by the ASN Bank. During the festival, visitors indicate how they rate the film via voting cards after a film screening. The final score will determine which filmmaker receives the Movies that Matter Audience Award. Voting is possible until 31 March and your vote is anonymous.