The 23rd edition of the Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) has wrapped “with resounding success,” selling out the majority of its screenings and drawing more than 31,000 attendees. Twelve films were awarded at the end of the 10-day event during which numerous experts gathered “to dissect current affairs, move beyond shock, and celebrate collective action.” See below for all award winners.
“From 7 to 16 March 2025, the FIFDH took over Geneva to spotlight human rights through films from around the globe,” organisers add. “Once again, the Festival proved itself an unmissable event, bringing together audiences and professionals to explore today’s geopolitical and social challenges. This year, the FIFDH aimed to unite festivalgoers in overcoming a state of collective disbelief.”
At the closing ceremony, Laila Alonso Huarte and Laura Longobardi, the festival’s Co-Editorial Directors jointly commented: “We’re proud to see that the winning films are not only powerful and innovative in cinematic terms, but also warrant international support given the filmmakers’ commitment and courage in confronting the many social, political, and economic challenges in their countries.”
Five films from this year’s programme will open in cinemas over the coming months: Les Immortels by Maja Tschumi, a documentary on the daily lives of Iraqi youth in the aftermath of the 2019 uprising; Cosmos by Germinal Roaux, a philosophical fable about old age, set in Mexico; April by Dea Kulumbegashvili, a fictional tale of a gynaecologist performing clandestine abortions in Georgia; Vers un pays inconnu by Mahdi Fleifel, a race against time of two Palestinians in Athens trying to cross the border; and the Fiction Grand Award winner Santosh by Sandhya Suri.
Two productions will also be available on the small screen: the Swiss film UNRWA, 75 ans d’une histoire provisoire by Lyana Saleh and Nicolas Wadimoff, which uncovers the little-known story of this organisation, will be shown from 16 March on RTS 2, then on Play RTS. Meanwhile, Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat by Johan Grimonprez, a Belgian film on the civil rights movement and the role of jazz during the Cold War, will be available on arte.tv.
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION: The International Creative Documentary Jury was comprised of photographer Luvia Lazo, filmmaker and artist Mohamed Jabaly and activist Nathan Law.
- FIFDH Geneva Grand Award, endowed with CHF 10,000 offered by the City and State of Geneva: Les Filles du Nil (pictured) by Nada Riyadh Ayman El Amir. Citation: “This poignant film follows the aspirations of five young Egyptian women seeking freedom—freedom threatened by traditions and restrictions imposed in their village. Rich in cinematic creativity, it tackles sensitive issues such as forced marriage and sexual harassment, exposing how women’s rights remain precarious in the region. The film fully embodies the spirit of socially engaged documentary: it informs, bears witness to reality, and compels audiences to consider new ways of building a better world.”
- FIFDH Gilda Vieira de Mello Award, in honour of her son Sergio Vieira de Mello, endowed with CHF 5,000. Khartoum by Anas Saeed, Rawia Alhag, Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed and Phil Cox. Citation: “We commend Khartoum for giving Sudanese filmmakers a voice at a time when listening to underrepresented perspectives is more vital than ever. The team’s determination to complete this project—despite limited resources and scant international visibility—is remarkable. Through creative, well-crafted artistic choices and a sincere narrative, especially in the children’s viewpoint, deeply affected by the ongoing conflicts in Sudan, the film helps us better grasp the impact of war on human lives.”
- Youth Jury Award – Documentary, endowed with CHF 1,000. Writing Hawa by Najiba Noori and Rasul Noori. Citation: “We present this award to a documentary that reveals one woman’s resilience in the face of an ever more patriarchal Afghan society, where the most basic human rights—freedom, equality, education, and more—are being trampled. These rights may seem assured in our own context, but they are more threatened than ever by surging extremism. By inviting us into their words, laughter, and tears, the film immerses us in the intimacy of a single family whose story reflects so many others. The gentle images juxtaposed with the film’s harrowing backdrop deliver a powerful, essential message.”
FOCUS COMPETITION The Focus Jury was comprised of Fabrice Boulé (Caritas Switzerland), Laurence Hoenig (Médecins Sans Frontières), Michael Ineichen (Amnesty International Switzerland), Olivier Peter (OMCT) and Marion Petrocchi (Helvetas).
- Vision for Human Rights Award, endowed with CHF 5,000. There is Another Way by Stephen Apkon. Citation: “This film adopts a profoundly humane perspective, generating a strong emotional impact. It gives voice to victims and witnesses of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without succumbing to hatred or calls for vengeance, showing that—even amid suffering—it is possible to reject barbarity and stand up for peace and human rights. It also urges us to protect and expand dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian civil society, including, if necessary, abroad—in Switzerland, for example.”
SPECIAL JURY – IN HOSPITALS
- Convergences Award. Flying Hands by Marta Gomez and Paula Iglesias. Citation: “The Convergences Prize goes to Flying Hands. The jury commends its stunning imagery and landscapes, as well as its moving portrayal of the reality facing deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Pakistan.”
SPECIAL JURY – IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES
- La Brenaz Jury Award. Life is Beautiful by Mohamed Jabaly. Citation: “The La Brenaz Jury awards its prize to Life is Beautiful. It is a well-rounded film in which Mohamed, as a Palestinian and a filmmaker, strives for recognition. The jury praises his unwavering perseverance, his resilience, his ability to keep smiling despite difficulties, and his generosity in conveying a positive message to humanity.”
Champ-Dollon Jury Award
- Riverboom by Claude Baechtold. Citation: “The Champ-Dollon Jury presents its prize to Riverboom. This film blends friendship, information, risk, adventure, self-deprecation, and humour. It dismantles prejudices and preconceptions, showcasing every facet of Afghan society.
As earlier reported the, IMPACT DAYS awards were handed out earlier this week. Click here to read about all winners.
BETWEEN ANGER AND TENDERNESS – FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The festival offered an analysis of the some of the highlights of the past ten days. “In response to an intense news cycle, festival audiences showed particular interest in themes linked to crises in the Near and Middle East, the rise of the far right, the rollback of women’s rights, and the growing distrust of institutions charged with upholding international law. Many of the Festival’s guests—among them former US congressman Adam Kinzinger, writer Douglas Kennedy, and academic Amy Greene—did not mince words in condemning the destructive policies of President Trump, at a forum dedicated to the United States,” organisers write.
“Nonetheless, other figures displayed a galvanising commitment, one that gave cause for hope. Oleksandra Matviichuk, 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, remarked during a discussion on the war in Ukraine: “This is not the first time I have witnessed how powerless international law can seem. Citizens have far more power than they realise. A massive grassroots response can alter history, far beyond any UN intervention. My message is simple: make our voices heard. Put humanity at the forefront!’”
Organisers continue: “In that same spirit, at a panel on ground-breaking forms of activism, young campaigners Maimouna Ba (founder of Maman Sahélienne), José Adolfo Quisocala Condori (founder of Banco del Estudiante Bartselana), and Marley Dias (founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks) demonstrated that they are the voice of a generation determined to construct a fairer, more united, and engaged future.”
“Another high point came with a prolonged ovation for Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, and A State of Passion directors Muna Khalidi and Carol Mansour, following a forum on the medical and humanitarian situation in Gaza. At the same time, in an innovative format, a workshop led by Palestinian and Israeli psychologists offered participants a space to share and analyse the conflict’s impact on mental health.”
