Cinema without Borders

Cinema without Borders is a five-day workshop and networking programme on how to organise a human rights film festival or mobile cinema project.

What is Cinema without Borders?

The Cinema without Borders programme brings together 10 to 15 emerging film festival professionals from across the globe. Participants will gain practical knowledge and get fresh ideas and possibilities to strengthen their network. By exchanging experiences and best practices, participants are inspired and assisted to further develop their own festival. The interactive workshops will address various aspects of organising a human rights film festival, such as programming films and organising debates, fundraising, impact strategies, promotion and reaching new audiences.

Upcoming Edition: Southeast Asia (5 – 11 August 2026)

We’re excited to announce that Cinema without Borders will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 6–10 August 2026, during the 100% Manusia Film Festival.

Cinema without Borders is a five-day workshop and networking programme for organisers of human rights film festivals and mobile cinema initiatives. Fourteen participants from across Southeast Asia – including Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam – will come together to exchange knowledge, share best practices, strengthen regional networks, and develop practical ideas for impactful human rights film screenings and festivals.

The following people will participate in this edition of Cinema without Borders:

Claudette Nahak – Flobamora Film Festival (Indonesia)
Ezzah Mahmud – Penang Shorts (Malaysia)
Hằng Nguyễn – White Light Cinehub (Vietnam)
Jason Liwag – QCinema International Film Festival (Philippines)
Kyal Yi Lin Six – (Myanmar)
King Catoy – Cinemata/EngageMedia (Philippines)
Muhammad Akbar Rafsanjani – Aceh Documentary (Indonesia)
Nakorn Chaisri – Changing Climate Changing Lives Film Festival (Thailand)
Petrus Kristianto – Festival Film Jelek (Indonesia)
Phan Đan – Chùm Nho Cinema / Hanoi Grapevine (Vietnam)
Vutha Koam – Community-based human rights short film event (Cambodia)
Wafi Abdullah – 100% Manusia Film Festival (Indonesia)
Two participants must remain anonymous

This edition is made possible by the UMI Fund and organised in cooperation with the 100% Manusia Film Festival.

Previous Editions

Since 2006 twenty editions of Cinema without Borders were held. Most workshop programmes took place during the Movies that Matter Festival in The Hague. Other editions were held in Peru (2024), Burkina Faso (2012, 2023), Jordan (2014), Argentina (2018), Philippines (online, 2021), Kenya (2022) and during the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA, 2013). Almost 300 participants from more than 60 different countries – from Myanmar, Bahrain and Bangladesh to Pakistan, the Philippines and Peru – attended the programmes.

To get an impression of the programme, watch the aftermovies of Cinema Without Borders 2024, 2022 and 2019 below.