Some films have the power to create long-lasting change. In 2019 the FIFDH launched Impact Days to celebrate and develop cinematic storytelling as a tool for social change. This international Industry programme brings together filmmakers, producers, NGOs and foundations to find alliances and joint strategies around common human rights themes. Now in its fifth year, Impact Days has helped hundreds of participants elevate and amplify the impact of their work.

The FIFDH, leading film festival dedicated to human rights, takes place annually in Geneva. Home to the UN’s Human Rights Council, the city hosts over 750 NGOs and leading International Organizations dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights and the people who defend them.

Today we’re calling on documentary filmmakers and producers to submit their projects for our 2023 Impact Days programme.

The documentary films or projects must be about social or environmental issues that need to be urgently addressed. Selected film teams will participate in our online and in-person Impact Lab to develop a strong impact campaign, connect with strategic partners to put the campaign effectively in place, and may win one of various cash prizes awarded to the best Impact projects. 

For its upcoming hybrid edition the Impact Lab will take place online on 19-20 January 2023 and in Geneva on 13-14 March 2023, during the 21st edition of the FIFDH.

For the 2023 FIFDH Impact Days we’re looking for bold documentary projects from around the world, at any stage of production or late development. The projects must be driven by thoughtful and in-depth storytelling, bolstered by a compelling visual approach and have a clear vision of the impact they want to make. They must have a strong potential to create real cultural and social impact around some of the most pressing issues of our time.

• Any independent filmmaker and/or producer and/or impact producer from any country, committed to outreach goals and looking for strategic partnerships to make their films truly influential.
• Submission is free. The selected teams must pay an accreditation fee of CHF 180 for each member attending the event. This accreditation gives access to both sessions of the Impact Lab, all Impact Days activities including lunches and the closing cocktail, and all FIFDH screenings and debates for the entire duration of the festival (10-19 March 2023).
• Selected participants based in the DDC priority countries (i.e. Countries marked in yellow on the DDC eligible countries list) will be able to have their accreditation, trip and accommodation covered by the FIFDH. 

• We will only consider non-fiction projects of 52+ minutes duration.
• One project per company or filmmaker can be selected. However, a company can also apply with multiple projects, and/or an applicant can be a member of the key creative personnel on multiple projects. 
• Projects in production and postproduction are preferable, but we will also consider projects in a late development stage, with demonstrated access, strong storytelling in the treatment and work sample, and an urgency to the story. Recently completed films are also eligible.

• Mentorship for your impact strategy including how to: identify the target groups and relevant partners for your impact campaign - inspire strategic audiences with your film - influence policies and catalyze change - pitch your project to potential partners outside the documentary industry. This training is given by experienced producers and impact producers both in a group setting and in individual sessions with each team.
• Curated connections to key players (NGOs and Foundations) within your issue areas. This includes pre-arranged one-to-one meetings to pitch your impact campaign to potential partners and funders.
• Networking opportunities with the other participants from around the world: filmmakers, producers, impact producers, experts and Impact Lab tutors, as well as the other FIFDH attendees.

Submit your project

2022 edition

Documentaries projects 2022

January 25-26 2022 Programme - Webinar

March 7-8 mars 2022, Programme - Geneva

Matching Grant with StoryBoard Collective

The FIFDH Impact Days are organised in collaboration with:

With the support of: