Shorts
During the festival, thematic blocks of shorts are screened daily in zaal 6 of Filmhuis Den Haag. Discover this year’s shorts blocks here!
Shorts: On Censorship
Censorship takes many forms: from silencing and banning to imprisonment and even killing. It is a powerful tool of repression, used by states to control populations and dictate what is deemed true and acceptable. Yet, for as long as censorship has existed, so has dissent, pushing us to question the status quo.
Films in this shorts programme:
- Razeh-del
- Como si la tierra se las hubiera tragado
- Man Number 4
- The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
- Looking for a Donkey
Shorts: Wind of Resistance
Our thoughts, words and actions can become tools for political resistance. Those fighting against injustice have risk(ed) their safety and wellbeing for a fairer world. Their stories are carried by the wind of time and reverberate through eternity.
Films in this shorts programme:
Shorts: Facing the Past
History does not stay behind us. It lives in our collective memory, shaping both the present and the future of our society. But what is history if not a collection of personal stories, of individuals influencing or yielding to the course of events? It is through these stories that we truly understand the political.
Films in this shorts programme:
- Karun; The Longest River of Iran
- Butterfly
- The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing
- Goodnight, Mister Stalin
Shorts: On Borders
Borders are more than just lines on a map, they are tools of political, financial, and military strategy. While they are meant to provide protection, they often become prisons for those kept out or forced to remain within. Yet, nature reminds us that borders are merely a human construct.
Films in this shorts programme:
Shorts: Human Nature
Human Nature refers to the essence of humankind: our ways of acting, thinking, and feeling as a species. It encompasses our often-complex relationship with the environment, our interactions with flora and fauna, and the power dynamics within our own species.
Films in this shorts programme:
- Ashen Sun
- Don Benjamin
- Flower Show
- Insignificant Specks of Dust in a Tapestry of Stars
- Children of the Bird
Shorts: Through the Eyes of Others
When we step outside our bubble and look around, we may realise that the strangers we encounter live in a reality as rich and complex as our own. By engaging with these differences, we can gain new perspectives and expand our horizons.
Films in this shorts programme:
Shorts: ROOTS x MtM
The ROOTS Film Festival by Filmhuis Den Haag provides a platform for filmmakers based in The Hague. In the lead-up to Movies that Matter Film Festival 2025, we selected three films from the ROOTS programme that resonate with our festival’s mission – films that inspire dialogue on pressing global issues.
This special shorts block will be screened only once on Monday 24 March, including a Q&A.
Films in this shorts programme: