FIFDH 2026: Call for films with impact campaigns (now closed)

What’s in it for you?

The FIFDH will offer the selected film teams:

Expert support to finalise and launch your impact campaign. Between January and February 2026, you will have the opportunity to benefit from the advice of international experts and the FIFDH impact team in order to refine your impact objectives and strategies, design and present an impact pitch, identify partners outside the documentary sector, and reach strategic target audiences.

A public event including a screening of your film, followed by a panel discussion on a theme related to the issues raised by the film. As part of the FIFDH 2026 (6-15 March), you will present your film to the Festival audience as well as to representatives of Geneva-based organisations strategic to your campaign (international organisations, NGOs, diplomats, philanthropists, media, etc.). The screening will be followed by a panel discussion on a theme linked to the film’s impact campaign, including representatives of the film team and international speakers invited by the FIFDH. You will have the opportunity to mobilise the public through a call to action.

A private programme enabling you to mobilise strategic stakeholders. The FIFDH team will help you organise a private event or bilateral meetings that will enable you to contact and mobilise strategic stakeholders (representatives of international organisations, NGOs, diplomats, philanthropists, media, etc.).

Networking opportunities with other FIFDH participants, including participants in the Impact Days professional programme if you are in Geneva between 8 and 10 March 2026.

Selection criteria

The selection will be based on the following criteria:

Cinematographic quality: the film offers a high-quality cinematographic approach and storytelling.

Topic matter: the film deals with urgent and important issues relating to human rights and/or the environment and raises public awareness of these issues.

Impact potential: the film has the potential to change public opinion on the issue it addresses and to encourage those who see it to become part of the solution.

Impact campaign: the film is accompanied by a detailed impact campaign ready to be launched or already in progress, with clear and specific objectives.

Relevance to Geneva: the film’s impact objectives justify the organisation of a screening and event in Geneva due to the presence of strategic stakeholders (international organisations, NGOs, diplomatic missions, etc.).

We encourage applications from independent filmmakers and/or producers who are actively committed to achieving their impact objectives by forging new collaborations and mobilising key stakeholders as well as the Festival audience.

Eligibility

Only films that comply with the following conditions will be considered for selection:

• Recently completed (2025 or 2026) non-fiction films of 52+ minutes in length.
• Films related to human rights and/or environmental issues, from any country.
• Films with an existing impact campaign, ready to be launched by March 2026 or already in progress.
• Films that can benefit from being screened to potential stakeholders in Geneva, and that can launch specific calls for action to Festival audiences.
• We require the Swiss premiere of your film – our Festival takes place 6-15 March 2026.
• Only one project per company or filmmaker. However, an applicant can be a member of the key creative personnel on multiple projects.
• A screener or rough cut, together with information about the impact campaign, are required at the submission stage.
  
  

Benefits

Selected teams will benefit from:

• Invitation to Geneva (travel and accommodation) for two members of the film team (director and/or impact producer and/or film participant).
• Selection of the film in one of the FIFDH competitions.
• A screening followed by a discussion scheduled by the FIFDH team as part of the Festival’s public programme (6-15 March 2026).
• Support from international experts and the FIFDH impact team.

Please note:

• Selected teams will be invited to participate in the Impact Lab online modules (January and February 2026).
• The director and/or the impact producer are required to attend at least one screening of the film in Geneva (the Festival covers accommodation and travel for two people per film).
• Submission is free

Submissions for 2026 are now closed

For questions, please contact Stéphane Decrey