The Geneva-based human rights festival revealed this week the 12 projects selected from around the world for its Impact Lab 2026. Each of the project rights holders will receive expert training to craft an impact strategy ahead of presentation to dozens of NGOs, international organisations and philanthropists, both in Geneva and beyond.
The next edition of FIFDH Impact Days will run March 8 to 10 2026. Just under 200 submissions were received from 70 countries, with all 5 continents represented.
Organisers describe the projects: “From Palestinian amputee cyclists trying to represent their country on the world stage, to Mexican avocado communities pushing back in the face of global demand; from the protection of indigenous cultural heritage in India, to the promotion of HIV patients’ rights in Albania; from a new Burmese generation fighting to rebuild the country without weapons, to Ukrainian children processing their memories after escaping Russian re-education camps, through to white supremacist groups in rural USA and more, our selection goes around the world to report and impact upon urgent issues.”
2026 Impact selection
- Gaza Sunbirds by Flavia Cappellini. Synopsis: When a young amputee cyclist and his underdog team of bike racers chase their dream of representing Palestine on the world stage, their six-year mission becomes a matter of life or death as bombs descend on Gaza.
- Green Gold by Ivonne J. Serna, Selim Benzeghia. Synopsis: In Mexico, the world’s avocado capital, land defenders and local producers confront cartel violence, deforestation, and each other’s choices, as global demand pushes their communities to the brink.
- Green Is the Fire’s Tint by Arya Rothe, Isabella Rinaldi and Cristina Hanes. Synopsis: Through the personal struggle of Somi, an ex Maoist rebel, the film calls for collective action to protect the land, quality of life, and the living cultural heritage of indigenous communities in central India.
- Olimbi – Mother Courage by Karlo Mlinar. Synopsis: In 2003, Olimbi Hoxhaj discovered that she and her children were HIV positive in Albania. No treatment was available. Facing stigma, institutional neglect and patriarchal silence, today she has become a leading voice for HIV patients’ rights.
- The Blue Sweater With a Yellow Hole by Tetiana Khodakivska. Synopsis: With unparalleled access to Ukrainian children who escaped Russian re-education camps, this film shows them processing and drawing their traumatic memories. Their sketches transform into animations that help them, and us, understand indoctrination.
- The Quiet Part by Rachel Lauren Mueller. Synopsis: When a pagan white supremacist group takes root in a quiet American farming town, it sparks an intense struggle over who has the right to belong – offering a disturbing warning about the normalization of extremism.
- This is Not a Civil War by Oliver Petrie. Hnin, a Burmese activist who took refuge in Thailand after the 2021 coup, returns clandestinely to Myanmar. In the jungle, she meets young people who, without weapons, heal, educate, and inform to rebuild a democratic society.
- UFO by Anonymous. This project is confidential. As such FIFDH cannot currently publicly disclose more information. Organisers will contact pertinent organisations and foundations to organise direct meetings with the project team.
- War on Women by Maris Salumets. Synopsis: When she discovers her mother’s allegiance to a far-right movement, director Maris Salumets embarks on a global quest to expose an international network that is dismantling democracy and gender rights under the guise of ‘traditional family values’.
- Water Is Coming by Lansana Mansaray. This project is confidential. As such FIFDH cannot currently publicly disclose more information. Organisers will contact pertinent organisations and foundations to organise direct meetings with the project team.
- Women and War by Elwira Niewiera. Synopsis: Three Ukrainian women, survivors of captivity and war-related violence, undergo therapy for war trauma. A powerful female story of resilience, strength, and determination to reclaim life from the scars of war.
- Confidential project. This project is confidential. As such FIFDH cannot currently publicly disclose more information. Organisers will contact pertinent organisations and foundations to organise direct meetings with the project team.
Key dates:
- 15 January 2026 – Impact Filmmaking for Social Justice webinar. Click link to read about 2025 event.
- 8 -10 March 2026 – Geneva Impact Days! Keynotes, case studies, impact screenings, pitches, curated and informal networking activities and awards, “three days of feelgood exchanges around all things impact,” write organisers.
