Call for Projects: Take on Film & Impact

Do you want to (further) develop the impact goals and strategies for your film? We are currently looking for film projects on human rights and/or social or environmental issues to participate in our Take on Film & Impact programme on 22, 23 and 24 March 2026.

Call for Projects – Deadline: 17 December 2025

Movies that Matter broadens perspectives by offering a stage for poignant fiction films and revealing documentaries that stir debates about human rights, sustainability and the fight against injustice. Our upcoming festival takes place 20 – 28 March 2026 in The Hague, The Netherlands.

For our Industry programme, we are calling filmmakers from around the world to submit their projects for the Movies that Matter Take on Film & Impact days. We are looking for films and series about human rights and/or social or environmental issues that need to be urgently addressed.

A selection of documentary film projects will be chosen to take part in the programme. The teams behind the projects will attend both group and individual coaching sessions led by experienced impact producers and filmmakers to (further) develop their impact goals and strategies for their films. At the end of the training, the teams will pitch their projects and impact strategies to potential partners.

Fees and Travels

Submission is free. Participation includes:

• The Take on Film & Impact programme with personal training, pitching, and networking sessions;
• Festival accreditation with access to all screenings, Industry talks, and guests meet guests meetings;
• Lunch on 22, 23 and 24 March 2026.

The Take on Film & Impact programme will take place online in January and February, and in person during the Movies that Matter Industry Days in The Hague. Selected participants are expected to attend both parts of the programme. All teams are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs and arrangements.
The workshop programme takes up three full days so if you are not based in the Netherlands, we suggest you arrive on the 21st and depart on the 25th. Of course, arriving earlier or departing later is encouraged as you’ll be able to experience even more of the festival and industry days.

Eligibility

• Fiction and non-fiction projects of any length or multi-part series are eligible to apply.
• We are mainly looking for projects in production, late-production and post-production.
• Projects in development will be considered if the filmmakers have clear impact goals to be developed and the story carries urgency. Same goes for projects already released.
• Projects must be a “movie that matters” in the making and address human rights and/or social or environmental issues.
• In particular, we encourage projects that use creative storytelling and non-traditional methodologies to apply.
• Filmmakers must be able to carry out a certain level of preparation before the commencement of the programme.
• Participants must be available to travel to The Hague to attend the programme in person and must be able to arrange and fund their own travels and accommodation. *Selected participants based in countries mentioned on the DAC List of ODA recipients can apply for funding to partly cover their costs. We also encourage reaching out to embassies in The Hague to support with travel and accommodation costs.

Key Dates

• 17 December 2025 | 23:59 CET | Deadline for submission
• 9 January 2026 | Projects will be informed regarding selection
• 14 January 2026 | 14:00-15:15 CET | Online Masterclass – Laying the Groundwork: Building an Effective Impact Strategy
• 22 January 2026 | 14:00-15:15 CET | Online Masterclass – Partnering and Funding for Impact Campaigns
• 24 January 2026 | 14:00 – 15:00 CET | Online Panel Discussion – Allies for Impact: Collaborating with NGOs and International Organisations
• 12 February 2026 | 14:00 – 15:05 CET | Online Masterclass: Pitching for Impact
• 22, 23 and 24 March 2026 | Take on Film & Impact three-day programme (in person) with closed training session, plenary impact sessions, pitches and meetings

Please note that dates and programme details might change.

Submit your project

For questions, please contact us via industry@moviesthatmatter.nl.