Magazine

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  Today, it’s the turn of Lotte Ottevanger's: a multidisciplinary artist and, since October 2025, the first female Night Mayor of The Hague.

With the Dutch Focus competition, we create space for the Dutch film landscape and shine a spotlight on filmmakers from the Dutch film sector who, with courage and craftsmanship, tell stories about human rights, freedom, and social justice within and beyond the Netherlands.

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.

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 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.