During the Industry Days at the Movies that Matter Festival (21 – 29 March in The Hague), we present a dynamic lineup of workshops, panel discussions, impact plan pitches, and masterclasses centered on film and human rights. In this newsletter, we share a few of the highlights. Explore the full programme and sign up for the events via the button below!

Join us for the Take on Film & Impact segment of the Movies that Matter Festival 2025. This is a programme designed for filmmakers and NGOs. It aims to support filmmakers in refining their impact strategies and foster connections and collaborations with organisations, funders, and broadcasters in The Netherlands.  

Mon 24 March — Inspiration Morning
How can films on social issues do more than just raise awareness? Are you a filmmaker looking for the formula to take your film to the next level? Join this morning session on creating impact campaigns that drive social change and get inspired! Speakers include Masha Sherbakova (Alternativa Film Project), Mathilde Kirstein (The Why Foundation), Paul Rieth (Get your Crowd) and Sarah Mosses (Together Films).

Tue 25 March — Take on Film & Impact Pitches
The selected teams will present their projects and impact goals to an audience of NGOs, international organisations, and impact funders. Distributors, sales agents, and other professionals from the cinema and television industries are also welcome to attend. This year we are working again with impact projects from around the world, whom we are guiding towards meeting the right partners for their campaigns.

Impact Speed Dates (one-on-ones) 
If you are an NGO, foundation, broadcaster or (impact) producer interested in having a pre-arranged one-on-one meeting with a selected film team, hoping to collaborate or support their impact campaigns, please email us industry@moviesthatmatter.nl.

Mon 24 March — The recent times have taught us that independent journalism and filmmaking is under severe threat; by censorship, war and political instability. How can you stay true to your profession when death threats, possible imprisonment or exile loom over you? How much space is there for those stories that inform people of the current state of affairs?

A thought-provoking panel for all aspiring journalists, filmmakers and changemakers, with Jihan El-Tahri (curator, Digidocs – Aljazeera Digital), Ruth Kronenburg (Executive Director, Free Press Unlimited), Santiago Maza Stern (State of Silence) and Zhanna Maksymenko-Dovhych (representative of the Ukranian delegation). Moderation by Margje de Koning.

Wed 26 March — Five inspiring guests will take part in a two-part panel about bringing film to the international cinema circuit and creating lasting impact beyond the screening room. This programme is made possible by NAPA.

Part 1 – Films Don’t End at Borders 
In conversation with renowned producer and filmmaker Brian Hill (Century Films) and internationally recognized producer Frank Hoeve (BALDR Film), we will explore the complexities of their crafts and how they have managed to bring their films to the international audience. Moderation: Mariette Rissenbeek.

Part 2 – Films Don’t End at Closing Credits 
In the second part of the panel we will engage in a conversation with Marnie Blok, director of Dutch short film Beyond Silence (PRPL), Tamar van den Dop, actress in Beyond Silence, and Subina Shrestha, journalist, producer, and director of Nepalese documentary Devi (Mediadante). They will share their insights into how film can make a long lasting impact, far beyond the screening room. Moderation: Margje de Koning.

We are delighted to welcome delegations of talented filmmakers and producers from Ukraine, South Africa, Nepal, Morocco and Kenya to our festival this year! Meet them during the Take on Film & Impact Inspirational Morning, delegation screenings, and Guests Meet Guests sessions. It’s an incredible opportunity to come together, discover outstanding films, share experiences, and foster new collaborations.

Movies that Matter joins Cannes Docs as a festival partners again this year. Come and say hello to our visiting delegation at Festival de Cannes: our Artistic Director Margje de Koning and Programmer Maarten Stoltz will be attending the festival. Feel free to reach out to us if you would like to meet us there!

Team members will also be attending the following events:

Thessaloniki Documentary Festival | Programmer Maarten Stoltz
IndieLisboa 2024 | Programmer Laura Quarto
Zagreb Film Festival | Artistic Director Margje de Koning
Sunny Side of the Doc | Artistic Director Margje de Koning
Dokumentale | Artistic Director Margje de Koning