About the Impact Days

Impact Days is the FIFDH’s professional programme for filmmakers, NGOs and philanthropists. Since 2019, we have been selecting quality documentary projects, working with filmmakers to refine their impact goals, and facilitating partnerships within the vast ecosystem of organisations, policymakers and funders active around International Geneva.

“ My first experience of Impact Days has been exciting, because there are very few places where you have the opportunity to be seated next to someone from the UN, and a filmmaker, and a producer, and have these conversations about ways to advance and improve the conditions of human rights around the world. ”
Jon-Sesrie Goff, Ford Foundation (USA)

Throughout January and February our online and in-person programme includes an Impact Lab for selected film projects and a strategy workshop for NGOs and other international organisations.

In March we welcome a professional public of NGOs, funders and filmmakers to Geneva for three inspiring days of pitches, impact talks and case studies, and curated networking sessions. In a more casual environment the Impact Days cocktails and networking lunches are also a perfect place to meet potential collaborators.

Pitching sessions

Selected teams pitch their projects and impact goals to an audience of NGOs, international organisations and impact funders. Distributors, sales agents and other cinema and television professionals are welcome to attend.

Meet the organisations

A selection of NGOs and international organizations based in and around Geneva discuss their priorities and exchange with filmmakers.

Roundtables

Selected film teams meet NGOs and foundations who wish to discuss or collaborate with their impact campaigns. See previously participating organisations here.

Impact Days Awards

Financing opportunities and awards

As a direct result of participating in Impact Days, our selected projects have received over 800,000 euros in financial support to date.

StoryBoard
Impact Award

A CHF 10,000 grant awarded to an International Selection project

The winner is selected based on feedback from participating organisations, an evaluation of the campaign’s quality and potential, and an assessment of its feasibility by the Impact Days and The StoryBoard Collective teams. This prize is a grant from The StoryBoard Collective.

Another Story Foundation x Impact Social Club Award

A € 2,500 grant + a consultancy awarded to International Selection and Swiss Focus projects

The Another Story Foundation x Impact Social Club Award supports a bold project that can change our perspective and spark essential conversations. The € 2,500 grant and 2 hours of expert mentoring are designed to give the awarded project the boost it needs to move to the next stage.

Swiss Focus
Impact Award

A CHF 2,500 prize awarded to a Swiss Focus project

The funds support an impact initiative in Switzerland that advances the project’s national and/or international goals such as advocacy or brain trust screenings, impact strategy development, fundraising activities etc. The winner is selected by the FIFDH Impact Days team.

Sublimages
Impact Award

Translation and subtitle creation for an International Selection or Swiss Focus project

This award provides a full film translation and subtitle creation in one of four languages: English, French, Spanish or Portuguese. Offered by Sublimages.

Impact Days activities are open to international filmmakers and impact producers, NGOs and international organisations, philanthropists, and the media.