As the curtain came down on One World International Human Rights Film Festival in Prague, the closing night was marked by an awards ceremony celebrating the diverse and impactful films presented during the festival. Drawing an audience of 20,000 viewers, the event highlighted the power of cinema in addressing critical global issues.

• The Audience Award was presented to the Czech documentary Is There a Place for Me, Please? by Jarmila Štuková, which poignantly addresses the aftermath of a violent attack condoned by the victim’s ex-boyfriend.
• Life Is Beautiful by Mohamed Jabaly received the International Competition Jury Award for Best Film. The documentary details Jabaly’s unforeseen extended exile from #Gaza, which has now reached its 11th year.
• The Best Director Award went to Kumjana Novakova for Silence of Reason, a film that brings to light the suffering of sexual violence victims during the Bosnian war.
• The Václav Havel Jury Award in the Right to Know category was awarded to Extremists.Br by Caio Cavechini from Brazil.
• Notes from Eremocene by Viera Čákanyová captured the Czech Jury Award, while Tack by Vania Turner was selected by the Regional Jury.
• The Student Jury favored Anne Marte Blindheim’s Rahčan – Ella’s Riot, and the Children’s Jury chose the short film Girl with Brass Rings by Sai Naw Kham as their favorite.
• In the realm of Immersive Films, I Took a Lethal Dose of Herbs by Yvette Granata was recognized by the Jury for its innovative storytelling.

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Spanning from 20-28 March, the 26th edition of the One World International Human Rights Film Festival not only graced Prague but also reached audiences in Boskovice, Jeseník, Šumperk, and Vsetín. With plans to extend the festival to 43 additional cities until 21 April.