Competition

Students’ Choice

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 Students’ Choice screenings on Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 March are free to attend for all students and staff of Leiden University. Book your free ticket online with the promotional code SC#MtMF23 and show your LU-card at the ticket check.

Nominations

The Kings of the World

Five boys from the streets of Medellín go on a wild road trip. Are they claiming their rights or just chasing a pipe-dream? Alternately raw and poetic, with electrifying performances from the non-professional actors. Featuring the breath-taking highlands of Colombia as the mesmerizing backdrop.  Rá, Sere, Winny and Nan...

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Tantura

In the 1990s, research claimed the Israeli army had committed a massacre in the Palestinian village of Tantura in 1948. However, several former Israeli soldiers retracted their testimony, the research was dismissed and the researcher ostracized and threatened. Now, director Alon Schwartz conducts an eye-opening re-exam...

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Three Thousand Numbered Pieces

An experimental, confronting and often hilarious comment on prejudices and exploitation in the art world. A group of Roma actors participate in a play by a white Hungarian director. Feeling exploited and stigmatized, they quit. But the play is already sold to a prestigious Berlin theatre, and the premiere is looming. ...

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Jury

Hao Guo

My name is Hao Guo. I am originally from China. I have been living in the Netherlands for 7 years already. I am currently a law student at Leiden University. I have been always extremely interested in hearing other people’s stories. That’s why I love movies. Through movies I see how similar we are to each other as humans, sharing the same emotions, struggles and love. I also believe good movies could be hugely empowering to people. And it is the people who could bring about positive social changes. Movies that Matter is a film festival dedicated to human rights related movies. Human rights are universal, regardless of who you are and where you come from. And only if we work together, can the world become a better place. Therefore, I feel very much honoured to serve as student jury in this film festival.

Miao Zhou

Miao is a Film and Photographic Studies student at Leiden University. This is her sixth year in The Hague. As a filmmaker, and a film studies student, the film is an essential element of her life. Her first association with Movies that Matter dates to 2017, and that memorable and unique experience with films and discussions led her to pay special attention to Movies that Matter. Having worked and studied in Hong Kong, the United States and Japan, she is particularly interested in what is happening in the world and Movies that Matter allow her to see the bigger world. Movies that Matter makes her think with the courage to pursue her ideals, the conviction to aspire to freedom, and be fearless of all setbacks and hardships.

Sagida Zhatkanbayeva

Hi! I’m Sagida, a 2nd year Leiden University College student, with a major in Governance, Economics and Development. I also happen to be the Chair of Leiden Debating union. I came from Kazakhstan a little over a year ago and since then have been living in the Hague. Last year I volunteered at Movies That Matter 2021 and watched >10 films, enjoying each one of them. So this year I am very happy to have the chance to be part of the jury!