Specials
In addition to film screenings, the Movies that Matter Festival offers a range of specials that deepen and broaden the festival experience. From in-depth talks and panel discussions to performances, art installations and quizes.
Opening Night
American Doctor by Poh Si Teng opens the Movies that Matter Festival 2026 in The Hague.
Pop-up exhibition Woman, Life, Freedom
We honour the Iranian protest movement Woman, Life, Freedom with a pop-up exhibition that, in collaboration with the Resistance Museum, will be on display throughout the festival in the foyer of Theater aan het Spui.
Book Swap Circle & Film
Book lovers, take note! Discover new stories during the Movies that Matter Book Swap and give your bookshelves a fresh start.
Selected by Trouw
Trouw presents two programmes around films selected by Trouw editor Remke de Lange: Derek vs Derek and Silenced.
(S)exposed
An art installation that makes street harassment tangible for those who (fortunately) don’t experience it daily. Through an audio experience, you step into the shoes of someone being harassed.
Party: Space Age DJ Collective
Kick off the festival weekend with the Space Age DJ Collective at Filmhuis Den Haag!
Earth at Stake
Two films that shine a light on ice loss (MELT) and climate displacement (Black Water), presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Meet me at the Bingo – Speed Dating
A special edition of Meet me at the Bingo together with @BallenBingo. During the speed dating rounds, you might just meet your perfect film match!
Selected by De Groene Amsterdammer
De Groene Amsterdammer presents a special programme around the films Steal This Story, Please and Coexistence, My Ass!
Wednesday 25 March
De Grote Podcastlas Pubquiz
Do you want to test your world knowledge? During the festival, we’re teaming up with De Grote Podcastlas for a special pub quiz!
Teachers’ Day
An inspiring teachers’ day for secondary education, vocational education (MBO), and ISK teachers, full of insights, tools, and practical takeaways to help discuss social issues in and beyond the classroom.
European Commission: Deep Rising
A free screening of Deep Rising, a documentary that takes an in-depth look at the world of deep-sea mining.
Dutch Focus Night
A special evening in honour of the Dutch Focus competition, full of personal, poignant and unique films. During the evening, we will screen the much-discussed feature film Truly Naked.
Activist Night
Face to face with today's heroes! On the festive Activist Night, all activists and directors from the Activist Lens competition will be honoured and put in the spotlight.
Award Night
Curious to see which films take home an award? Join us for the Award Night!
Justice Frame Day
A full-day deep dive into film and global justice, presented together with the Asser Institute.
Virtual Reality: Revival Roadshow
In the 17-minute VR experience Revival Roadshow, explorer Abel Tasman confronts colonial legacies, climate crisis and digital culture in a speculative future.
Stichting Vluchteling presents: Lost Land
In collaboration with Stichting Vluchteling, we are screening Lost Land, the first feature film made entirely in the Rohingya language.
Our Colonial Past
Two films that shed light on the Dutch colonial history, followed by talks.
Queer Night
Queer Night is back! Featuring La Petite Derniere, The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo, and of course a party with DJ Calixta.
NPO Doc presents: MARIINKA
NPO Doc presents the documentary MARIINKA, followed by a conversation with director Pieter-Jan De Pue.
Sakharov Special
A special evening dedicated to the Sakharov Prize with a free screening of the Oscar-nominated Mr. Nobody Against Putin.
Selected by HUMAN
HUMAN presents two specially curated documentaries: Cutting Through Rocks and the premiere of Bagasi – what we carry, followed by a post-screening discussion.
Closing Party
Celebrate the festival’s grand finale with us! Featuring the announcement of the NPO Audience Award winner, the closing film Divine Comedy, and a DJ set by INDIEGLORIA.