Competition

Activist Lens

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. Learn how you can support the causes behind each film in Activist Lens here.

Activist Outreach

With our Activist Outreach programme, we support film screenings in the activists’ home country to raise awareness of the film and their work. You can find more information and an overview of the projects we have supported here.

The Activist Lens programme is organised in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Activists

Ahmed Muzamil

Freeing Sudan with hope and art
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Devi Khadka

Standing up for forgotten women
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Jeremy Kewuan

Freeing children from slavery
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Justyna Wydrzyńska

Fighting for abortion rights 24/7
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Marcos Vizcarra

Defying danger to find the truth
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Natalia Zubkova

Fearless eco-activist
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Nkosikhona Swartbooi

Affordable housing for all
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Wet'suwet'en land defenders

Represented by Shaylynn Sampson
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Jury

Hasan Oswald

Hasan Oswald is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. His directorial debut Higher Love won the Slamdance 2020 Grand Jury Award. He aims to capture the human experience through unfettered access and a collaborative approach to create a seamless veneer between filmmaker and participant. His latest film Mediha won the Activist Documentary Award at last year's festival.

Rochus Pronk

Rochus J.P. Pronk is a senior Dutch diplomat with a distinguished career centered on international peace and security, humanitarian policy, and the promotion of human rights. He currently serves as the Director of the Human Rights Department at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Adelheid Roosen

Theatre Maker and Artistic Director of Female Economy Theatre Company. She explores a vast array of themes in her quest to understand others, never shying away from topics ranging from honour revenge to the farewell to a dying friend. Since 2010, she has employed her ‘adoption method’, where actors and theatre makers live with local residents to truly reflect on themselves through encounters with strangers. Collecting and shaping these stories and perspectives forms the foundation of her work. Adelheid has won numerous national and international awards and has been teaching at the Amsterdam Theatre School since 1986.

Adrian Kawaley-Lathan

Adrian combines his expertise in peacebuilding, storytelling and changemaking to transform apathy into action. He designs, directs and facilitates programmes, productions and interventions that enhance social engagement, build community and empower sustainable change.

Lianne Llewellyn

Lianne has a background in Film and Television Distribution and in 2020 joined Monaco-based IEFTA, where she initially managed the organization’s administrative affairs. By the end of 2021, she transitioned into the role of Head of Development. In her current position, Lianne oversees all aspects of IEFTA, focusing on expanding its engagement with international film festivals, development programs, and creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers. Through her strategic approach, she continues to elevate the organization’s global presence and support the growth of new talent in the film industry.