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 21, 22 and 23 March 2027.

Call for Projects – Deadline: 11 October 2026 (23:59 CEST)

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 19 – 27 March 2027 in The Hague, The Netherlands.

For our next edition, we are calling filmmakers from around the world to submit their projects for the Movies that Matter Take on Film & Impact programme. We are looking for feature length documentaries in the final stages of production about human rights and/or social or environmental issues that have developed an impact campaign about topics 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 group webinar 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 and participation are free. Participation includes:

• The Take on Film & Impact programme with (personal) webinars, training, pitching, and networking sessions;
• Festival accreditation for max. 2 persons with access to all screenings, industry talks, and daily guests meet guests meetings;
• Lunch and dinner for max.  2 persons on 21, 22 and 23 March 2027.

The Take on Film & Impact programme will take place online from the end of October onwards and in person in March 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 to the Hague in March 2027.

The workshop programme runs over three full days, so if you are travelling from outside the Netherlands, we recommend arriving on Saturday, 20 March. Of course, you’re welcome to arrive earlier or stay longer, giving you the opportunity to experience more of the festival, which runs until 27 March, as well as the Industry Days, which run until 24 March.

Eligibility

•  Documentary feature length projects are eligible to apply.
• We are mainly looking for projects in late-production and post-production. The storyline of the film should be clear and solid.
• 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.
  *We suggest checking On the Move and also encourage reaching out to embassies in The Hague to support with travel and accommodation costs.
• If you have submitted your film to Movies that Matter 2027, please mention this in the remarks section in the form.

Key Dates

•  11 October 2026 | 23:59 CEST | Deadline for submission
• 23 October 2026 | Projects will be informed regarding selection
• 27 October 2026 | 14:00-15:15 CET |  first online masterclass (other dates for the online webinars will be announced in the selection email)
• 22, 23 and 24 March 2027 | Take on Film & Impact three-day programme (in person) with closed training session, plenary impact inspiration sessions, pitches and meetings

Please note that dates and programme details might change.

Apply now

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