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The Hague Human Rights Film Festival 2025

The Hague Human Rights Film Festival 2025

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) is hosting the fifth edition of The Hague Human Rights Film Festival in October 2025. The topic chosen for the next edition is human rights and climate change. We aim to raise awareness and global dialogue on this urgent matter: our planet is warming at an alarming rate, multiplying risk and instability and directly affecting the enjoyment of human rights. 

Festival Objectives

The primary goals of The Hague Human Rights Film Festival are to:

  • Raise Awareness: Enhance global understanding of the connection between human rights and climate change.
  • Showcase Talent: Provide a platform for filmmakers to present their work to a wider audience.
  • Foster Dialogue: Encourage discussion on human rights through film screenings, panel discussions, and workshops.
  • Provide a platform: for affected communities to share their experiences.
  • Inspire Action: Motivate engagement and activism in human rights advocacy amd climate activism.
  • Build Community: Unite filmmakers, activists, scholars, policy makers and audiences dedicated to promoting human rights and environmental protection.

Festival Highlights

GHRD aims highlight the art of film making to educate, engage and mobilise change on a global scale. The Hague Film Festival invites passionate filmmakers to give voice to silenced communities, to show the reality of climate change and to challenge and expose the audience to this important topic. The intersection of film and activism are indeed impactful in promoting social change. By bringing people together from various walks of life, the films will unite the audience, fostering community and cross-cultural understanding.

  • Opening Ceremony
  • Guest speaker – Climate activist
  • Panel Discussion and Workshop on Climate Change and Human Rights with movie makers and Concluding Remarks Day 1.
  • Award Ceremony and Concluding Remarks Day 2.
  • Networking events on both days
  • Art exhibitions in the hallways for the duration of the whole festival

Why the Hague?

The Hague, known as the city of peace and justice, was an ideal setting for this festival. As the home of international courts and numerous NGOs, it amplified GHRD’s message and reached individuals and institutions capable of enacting real change. GHRD also collaborated with schools and universities to engage young people, inspiring the next generation to champion children’s rights.

Film festival submissions

Film festival submissions open!

We are excited to announce that submissions are now open for the Human Rights Film Festival! We are actively seeking powerful documentaries that explore the critical intersection of climate change and human rights. This is your chance to contribute to a global conversation and raise awareness on some of the most pressing issues of our time. If you have a film that highlights these themes, we want to hear from you! Join us in using the power of storytelling to inspire change and action.

Submission Guidelines

  • Duration: 20-30 minutes per film.
  • Subtitles: Non-English films must include English subtitles.
  • Deadline: Submit by July 15, 2025.
  • Topic of the movie: Human Rights and Climate Change

For submissions contact: humanrightsfilmfestival@ghrd.org

Our Mission

At its core, the GHRD Film Festival celebrates diversity and reminds us of our shared humanity. It showcases that the true progress of a society is reflected in how it treats all its members, especially its children.

Get involved!

To inquire about partnerships and sponsorship opportunities for the film festival, please email us at humanrightsfilmfestival@ghrd.org.

Join us in making a difference and advocating for Human Rights and Climate Change at the 2025 The Hague Human Rights Film Festival!

View our previous Film Festivals

Last year, GHRD held its 4th edition of its annual The Hague Human Rights Film Festival on Children’s Rights. The year before, we held the 3rd edition of the film festival on Women’s Rights and the 2nd edition was on the topic of Minority rights.

Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming Film Festival..