Are you working on a film – fiction or documentary – that explores social issues, human rights, or sustainability? Submit your work to the Movies that Matter Festival 2026, taking place from 20 to 28 March in The Hague. We welcome films of all lengths, including shorts. Submissions are open until 1 November 2025.

In the Movies that Matter Podcast, we dive deeper into the stories, people, and human rights issues behind the films shown at our festival.

In the latest episode, programme maker Julia Muller sits down with activist Justyna Wydrzyńska and filmmaker Karolina Domagalska to talk about the documentary Abortion Dream Team.⁠ Justyna and Karolina reflect on the changes sparked by the documentary, the impact of Poland’s political climate on reproductive rights, and the importance of solidarity in the face of prosecution.⁠

We’re thrilled to launch our official Movies that Matter Festival Letterboxd HQ page! Join us to revisit highlights from past editions, find films that move and inspire, and get the latest on upcoming screenings.

We support film festivals around the world with our grant programme. Occasionally, we invite supported projects to share their experiences in our magazine. For this edition, Elias Maeda, founder and director of the Sauti Zetu Film Festival in Tanzania, talks about the impact the festival has had on his community and gives a preview of new plans.

Attending IDFA next month? Join the Human Rights Film Network brunch on Tuesday 18 November and get in touch with human rights film festivals from all over the world, including Movies that Matter.

Date: Tuesday 18 November, 2025
Time: 11:00 am – 13:00 pm (CET)
Location: Cafe Kuyl (Rembrandtplein 26, 1017 CV Amsterdam)

We are looking forward to seeing many filmmakers, producers, distributors and sales agents there. No registration required.

Our team is on the move this season, with a strong presence at several international film festivals.

Head Programmer Maarten Stoltz attended the Medimed Documentary Market in Sitges, Spain, where he participated as an expert in the Anti Pitch for rough cut projects. Head of International Support Julie Nederkoorn recently served as a jury member for the Checkpoints competition at the Bergen Film Festival. Meanwhile, Artistic Director Margje de Koning took part in the EsoDoc session at the Inconvenient Film Festival in Vilnius, where she presented the Movies that Matter Award to She Holds The Line by Insa Onken.

In the coming weeks, Margje will continue her festival journey, joining One World Bratislava, the Ji.hlava Film Festival, DOK Leipzig, and the Festival de Rabat.