Movies That Matter Grants for Human Rights Movie Makers In Developing Countries 2023

We offer a start-up grant for new human rights film events and an impact grant for existing events that want to increase their impact or want to add new activities to their programmes. These events can take various forms, such as human rights film festivals, LGBTI film festivals and mobile cinema projects. Please note that we don’t finance film productions. You can find an overview of possible resources for film production here. Please check our criteria & regulations for applying. Movies that Matter judges every project on its individual quality.

About Movies that Matter

Movies that Matter wants to open eyes for human rights. Our core tasks are the screening of human rights related films and the stimulation of screenings of human-rights films. We realise these core tasks with our annual Movies that Matter festival, our educational work, the organisation of events, with advice inland and abroad and the support of festivals worldwide.

Movies That Matter Grants

Aim and Benefits of Movies That Matter Grants

• Movies that Matter does not support film production. We support film festivals, mobile cinema and other types of film screenings to promote public debate on human rights.
• Movies that Matter does not support filmmakers and producers distributing or screening their own film(s).
• The project takes place in one of the countries mentioned on the DAC List of ODA recipients. Projects in EU countries are never eligible for support.
• Total costs of the project can never exceed €100,000,-.
• Organisations can be supported for a maximum of five times.

Requirements for Movies That Matter Grants Qualification

• Film screenings will contribute to awareness and discussion about human rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East or Eastern Europe.
• The project takes place in one of the countries mentioned on the DAC List of ODA recipients, where human rights and press freedom are at stake. Priority is given to projects in low-income countries, e.g. in Africa.
• Movies that Matter values films with high cinematic quality.
• Movies that Matter prefers films that are independently produced. Screenings of educational films, campaign films or NGO outreach films are not supported.
• Film and discussion programmes should also appeal and involve less privileged or less educated audiences.
• Movies that Matter values projects targeting youths or new audiences that do not regularly attend film screenings and discussion programmes, for instance in peripheral areas.
• Applications for an impact grant should explain how the grant will contribute to new developments or to increasing the impact of a project.
• Movies that Matter gives priority to small and medium-scale projects (with a total budget below €50,000).
• Projects should be submitted and executed by a local organisation that is well-connected with the target audience.
• Projects are organised and executed by, or in close cooperation with, human rights organisations.
• We encourage applicants to also actively involve other organisations, including parties that are not already connected with human rights, in the planning and execution of the project.
• The application consists of a well-wrought and complete plan and budget
• A reasonable degree of professionalism of the organisation is required, both financially and organisationally.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit Movies That Matter website.