We invite filmmakers worldwide to submit their fiction and non-fiction films on social issues and human rights for the Movies that Matter Festival 2025. All lengths are accepted, including short films. The festival will be held from 21 – 29 March 2025 in The Hague, The Netherlands and various satellite cities.⁠

The deadline for submissions is 1 November. Submissions before 1 August benefit from our early bird discount.

Are you hosting film festivals, mobile cinema projects, or other series of film screenings to spark conversations about human rights or social justice? Still in need of funding?

We’re here to support film screenings across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Whether you’re launching a new human rights film event or seeking to enhance the impact of existing ones, we offer start-up grants and impact grants. Our supported projects encompass a variety of formats including human rights film festivals, LGBTQIA+ film festivals, and mobile cinema projects.

The first round of our grant programme for 2024 is open for project proposals until Sunday 1 September. Visit our website for details on grant types, selection criteria, and application procedures.

Movies that Matter is looking for an experienced viewing committee member for the thematic sections Take on Future and Take on Love.

As a member of the viewing committee, you will play a vital role in putting together an innovative and interesting film programme for the annual Movies that Matter Festival. The viewing committee operates online and is not tied to a location. Film professionals from all over the world are invited to respond to this position. The position is on a freelance basis and runs from September to December 2024.

The Durban FilmMart (DFM), the premier film industry event in Africa took place from 19 – 22 July in Durban, under the theme “African Visions Unleashed: From Disruption to Accountability.” The 15th edition concluded with the presentation of the 2024 DFM Awards on Monday 22 July. We had the pleasure of presenting the Movies that Matter Award to the film project We Had the Moon! The film’s director will participate in the Movies that Matter Festival 2025 and its Industry Days, with support from The International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA).