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.

The documentary films or projects must be about social or environmental issues that need to be urgently addressed. Selected film teams 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 18-19 January 2024 and in Geneva on 10-12 March 2024, during the 22nd edition of the FIFDH.

For the 2024 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 FIFDH (each year in March).
• Selected participants based in the DDC priority countries will be able to have their accreditation, trip and accommodation covered by the FIFDH. 

• Non-fiction films of 52+ minutes in length. 
• Non-fiction series where each episode is 52+ minutes in length, and where all episodes in the series deal with the same human rights or social justice issue.
• Only one project per company or filmmaker. However, an applicant can be a member of the key creative personnel on multiple projects.
• We prefer projects in production and post-production but will also consider those in a late development stage. This as long as they can demonstrate clear access to the story and communities concerned, strong storytelling in the treatment, a teaser or trailer, and that there is an urgency to the story. 
• Also eligible are recently completed films or series which can benefit from developing an urgent impact campaign that they wish to implement rapidly.

• Training 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.

2023 Edition

2023 Selected projects

Matching Grant with StoryBoard Collective

The FIFDH Impact Days are organised with the support of:

In collaboration with: