The 2025 Movies that Matter Festival has unveiled its full selection, set to run from 21 to 29 March in The Hague. This year’s edition will feature 98 films, including 10 world premieres, highlighting urgent social and political issues through compelling storytelling.
The festival opens with the world premiere of The Promise, directed by Daan Veldhuizen. Competing in the Grand Jury Documentary Competition and the Justice Frame program, the film examines the struggles of exiled Papuans in their fight for recognition.
The Oscar-qualifying Grand Jury Documentary Competition presents a diverse slate, including The Bibi Files by Alexis Bloom, an exposé on Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, and Flavors of Iraq by Léonard Cohen, a unique blend of animation and documentary revisiting Iraq’s history. Grey Zone by Daniela Merssa Rusnoková explores survival in conflict while Mr. Nobody Against Putin by David Borenstein documents resistance to authoritarianism. Nanfu Wang’s The Night is Not Eternal follows Cuban activist Rosa María Payá Acevedo’s pursuit of freedom. Other highlights include Facing War by Tommy Gulliksen, Flophouse America by Monica Strømdahl, and My Dear Théo by Alisa Kovalenko, each offering intimate perspectives on global crises.
The festival has restructured its thematic competitions, introducing Activist Lens for films on human rights defenders, Justice Frame for legal and judicial themes, and Dutch Focus for national productions. A record 27 shorts will compete in the Shorts Competition, and the Education Award will recognise films aimed at engaging young audiences.
The Industry Days will host workshops, panel discussions, and networking events for filmmakers from Ukraine, South Africa, Nepal, Morocco, and Kenya. The Take on Film and Impact series will explore audience engagement and impact strategies, while the Pitches & One-on-Ones segment will connect filmmakers with NGOs and industry professionals. Other key events include The Mission of the New Maker, addressing filmmaker safety, and Take on Journalism & Censorship, focusing on press freedom.
Find more information and the full programme – HERE
