The upcoming FIFDH Impact Days, marking their seventh edition, are set to take place from 9-11 March alongside the 23rd International Film Festival and Forum of Human Rights (FIFDH) in Geneva, running from 7-16 March. The industry programme has finalised its schedule and is now accepting applications for industry accreditations (click here for more information).

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The 2025 edition will start with a vital panel, “Countering the Normalisation of the Far Right”, which will be held after a screening of the documentary Undercover: Exposing the Far Right by Havana Marking. The discussion will explore how far-right movements infiltrate mainstream politics and media, and how they can be effectively countered. In response to the growing challenge of extremist movements, “Extremism on the Rise: Making Challenging Films in a Polarised World” will examine the role of documentary filmmakers in countering radical ideologies. Speakers include the aforementioned Havana Marking, Sandra Whipham (co-director, Doc Society) and Roberto Perez-Rocha (Transparency International). The panel will tackle issues such as self-censorship, security risks and the distribution obstacles faced by filmmakers addressing politically sensitive topics.

Another impactful session, “All That I Am [+lire aussi :
bande-annonce
interview : Tone Grøttjord-Glenne
fiche film]: A Multi-Disciplinary Training Programme to Combat Child Abuse”, will discuss the use of innovative educational storytelling tools to train professionals in combatting child abuse. Tone Grottjord-Glenne, the director of the titular documentary, and Ingfrid Vaksdal Brattabø, researcher at the Oral Health Centre of Expertise Western Norway, will talk about the campaign’s success in reaching over 15,000 professionals. A special case study on the documentary Devi will highlight the ongoing struggle for recognition of conflict-related sexual violence survivors in Nepal. The film’s director, Subina Shrestha, will discuss the campaign’s role in pushing for legal change and raising awareness on this crucial issue.

Jenni Wolfson, CEO of Chicken & Egg Films, will deliver a keynote speech on the power of storytelling in human rights advocacy. Drawing from her career as a UN human rights investigator, she will explore the ethical responsibilities of storytelling, authorship and accountability, presenting innovative documentary impact campaigns that bridge understanding and inspire advocacy. Attendees can participate in “Meet the GIPA: Igniting Audiences into Action”, a session encouraging audience engagement in impact storytelling. Furthermore, “From Factual Reporting to Engaging Filmmaking” will explore how organisations like Human Rights Watch, UNICEF and FilmAid use film as a tool for advocacy.

The panel “Alternative Strategies and Alliances for Effective Outreach” will examine innovative ways to distribute socially impactful documentaries beyond traditional channels. Experts including Farah Fayed (Aflamuna), Poppy Mason-Watts (WaterBear), Sarah Mosses (Together Films) and Prince O Nyambok II (DocA - Documentary Africa) will share strategies for reaching diverse audiences. Another highlight of the event is the screening of Flowers of Ukraine [+lire aussi :
critique
fiche film] by Adelina Borets, followed by a discussion on the war in Ukraine and its future implications. Featuring Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviïchuk, former OSCE special representative Martin Sajdik and journalist Stéphane Bussard, the panel will examine the shifting geopolitical landscape and its impact on European security.

Finally, this year’s Impact Lab will feature 12 international teams pitching their impact strategies to an audience of industry professionals, NGOs and funders (see the news). In addition, the newly introduced Swiss Focus will provide a dedicated space for Swiss filmmakers and impact stakeholders to discuss collaboration opportunities on a national and international level. The detailed schedule of FIFDH Impact Days 2025 can be found here.

Here are the selected projects for the 2025 Swiss Focus:

Priceless Forests - Orane Burri
Producer: Orane Burri (Les Regardiens)

Nathalie - Tamara Milosevic
Producer: Madeleine Corbat (Recycled TV)

A Satellite for Burulaï - Suium Sulaimanova, Antonin Lechat
Producer: Emmanuel Gétaz (Dreampixies)

Chess Behind Bars - Ivo Zen
Producer: Kaleo La Belle (La Belle Film)