FIFDH 2027: Call for films with impact campaigns
Impact Spotlight 2027 – Yurlu | Country
Photo: André P. Cordeli
Would you like to screen your film in Geneva and mobilise the public as well as strategic stakeholders from international organisations, NGOs, philanthropy or the media? For its 2027 edition, the FIFDH is looking for recently finalised documentaries with an impact campaign in progress or ready to launch.
Deadline for films submissions is 28 July 2026 at midnight CET.
What’s in it for you?
The FIFDH will offer the selected film teams:
Expert support to finalise and launch your impact campaign. Between October 2026 and February 2027, 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, identify partners outside the documentary sector, and reach 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 2027 (5-14 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 based in Geneva (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 7 and 9 March 2027.
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 that is either ready to be launched or already underway, with clear and specific objectives and a defined timeline.
Commitment of the film team: members of the film team (the filmmaker and/or film participants and/or the impact producer) are actively engaged in the development and implementation of the impact campaign, devoting the necessary time and resources to it and serving as public advocates for its key messages.
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.).
Only films that comply with the following conditions will be considered for selection:
- Recently completed (2026 or by February 2027) 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 2027 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 5-14 March 2027.
- 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.
Selected teams will benefit from:
- Invitation to Geneva (travel and accommodation expenses covered) 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 (5-14 March 2027).
- Support from international experts and the FIFDH impact team.
- Selected teams will be able to participate in the Impact Lab online modules (from October 2026 to February 2027).
- The director and/or the impact producer are required to attend at least one screening of the film in Geneva, between March 5 to 14, 2027 (the Festival covers accommodation and travel for two people per film).
- Please note that all submissions to the Impact Spotlight section will also automatically be considered for other festival sections
- Submission is free
Selected teams will be notified end of September 2027.
For questions, please contact Stéphane Decrey