Magazine
American Doctor opens the Movies that Matter Festival 2026
The first titles of the Movies that Matter Festival 2026 have been announced! American Doctor by Poh Si Teng opens the festival on Friday 20 March. In addition, we highlight the eight nominees for the Grand Jury Documentary competition. 16 February, 2026
Opening Doors of Conversation: Carol Missorelli’s Impact Legacy at Taturana
Carol Misorelli co-founded Taturana in 2014 to use Brazilian cinema as a tool for democratic dialogue and social impact. In response to growing political polarization in Brazil, she helped shape a strategy focused on creating safe spaces for discussion through impact film distribution, festivals, and regional partnerships supported by Movies that Matter. Her work highlights how film can strengthen civil society by opening dialogue rather than fueling confrontation.
Movies that Matter moves to a single-director structure amid financial pressure
Movies that Matter will move forward with a single-director structure as of 16 April 2026. Artistic Director-Trustee Margje de Koning will take on the role of Managing Director-Trustee. Laurens Korteweg, who has served as Business Director-Trustee since September 2023, will leave the organisation following a carefully planned transition period. The decision has been taken in response to ongoing financial pressure and is aimed at safeguarding the organisation’s future.
Watch Films that Make Noise this Year at PAARD
Together with The Hague pop venue PAARD, we are launching Films that Make Noise. A series of topical protest films in which the link between music and social change plays a prominent role.
“For me, my activism is through my work.” – Zippy Kimundu on filmmaking under risk and Movies that Matter’s Activist Lens Programme
We sat down with Zippy Kimundu during IDFA 2025 to discuss her documentary Our Land, Our Freedom, her experience with Movies that Matter’s Activist Lens Programme, and her future projects.
These films show what women’s resistance in Iran looks like
In connection with the exhibition Woman, Life, Freedom at the Resistance Museum, we recommend films that highlight women's resistance in Iran.
Celebrating Human Rights Day with Dutch Embassies Worldwide
On 10 December, Human Rights Day, Movies that Matter puts human rights in the spotlight with the Embassy Film Menu.
Find Movies that Matter on Letterboxd
We're now on Letterboxd! Follow for programme updates, exciting articles, selections from our archive and more.
Tips from Our Grantees: Build Your Festival Dream Team
What’s the one piece of advice you’d share with someone organising a human rights film festival? We posed this question to our past grantees: experienced organisers who’ve navigated the challenges, triumphs, and unexpected moments that come with creating spaces for powerful human rights stories.
Discover their top tips for building your dream team in the first post of this new series!