Magazine
Cutting Through Rocks wins the Audience Award 2026
Cutting Through Rocks has been voted the winner of the Movies that Matter Audience Award 2026 by the festival audience. The award was presented on the closing night of the festival, 28 March 2026, by Charelle Akihary on behalf of NPO, the Dutch national broadcaster, this year for the first time as official award partner. 28 March, 2026
Award Winners MtMF26
Seven titles won awards on Wednesday 25 March during the Award Night of the Movies that Matter Festival 2026.
NEFTi Short Film Competition and Movies That Matter Festival Join Forces to Support Displaced Filmmakers in Europe and Africa
The Hague, 24 March 2026 — The NEFTi International Short Film Competition and the Movies That Matter Festival have announced a new partnership to support displaced filmmakers living in the European diaspora and across the African continent. The collaboration launches the 2026 NEFTi Competition, aimed at identifying and supporting emerging filmmakers whose perspectives are shaped by global displacement.
Nienke ‘s Gravemade’s Film Route
We asked a few inspiring tastemakers about their must-see picks, so you can enjoy the festival with the best tips and a little extra inspiration. Actress, writer, photographer and online activist Nienke 's Gravemade joins us today to share her top picks for this year's festival.
World Premieres at Movies that Matter Festival 2026
Among the exciting and insightful titles in this year's festival line-up, we are happy to announce multiple world premiere titles, and various international and Dutch premieres.
Lidija Zelovic’s Film Route
We asked a few inspiring tastemakers about their must-see picks, so you can enjoy the festival with the best tips and a little extra inspiration. Filmmaker Lidija Zelovic joins us today to share her top picks for this year's festival.
Calvin van Laaren’s Film Route
Struggling to choose during the festival? We've got you covered! We've created a film route with videojournalist Calvin van Laaren from Dutch outlet De Correspondent, with human vulnerability as the common thread.
Introducing Movies that Matter’s 2026 Jury Members
Get to know the experienced film professionals which will be deciding the winners of this year's competitions, including our Oscar® qualifying competition, Grand Jury Documentary.
De Kiesmannen Film Route
Struggling to choose during the festival? We've got you covered! We've created a film route with De Kiesmannen, focusing primarily on the topics of democracy and freedom.