The 19^th International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) will run in Geneva from 5-14 March 2021. For the third year running, the leading international event dedicated to film and human rights is running its special Impact Day programme, where filmmakers, producers, NGOs, organisations, activists and foundations gather to forge potential alliances and strategies that will increase the quality and results of their joint actions that aim to have positive impacts on the world we live in.

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Laura Longobardi, head of Impact Day, underlines: "In such turbulent times for the film industry, we wish to support documentary creators whose work tackles some of the most pressing issues of our time. These are films that shed light on hidden human rights violations, and can contribute to changing behaviours, systems and ways of thinking for the better, when brought to the right audiences through the help of strategic partnerships."

The calls for the 2021 FIFDH Impact Day are open and will run until 31 October: feature-length documentary projects by any independent filmmaker and/or producer from around the world, at any stage of production or in late development, are eligible to apply. The selected projects should be driven by in-depth storytelling, bolstered by a compelling visual approach, and with a clear vision of the impact they wish to make. The organised sessions aim to develop new strategies on production, distribution, financing and impact. Potential candidates may find more information and apply for free here.

The upcoming edition of Impact Day will be hybrid: the preparatory Impact Lab will run entirely online in January 2021, while its second part, the Impact Day, is planned to run in Geneva from 8-9 March 2021, as an integral part of the 19^th FIFDH, assuming there are no restrictions on travel by next spring.

As for the selected film teams, they will receive specialised mentorship for their impact strategy, including how to identify the target groups and partners for their campaign, how to inspire strategic audiences and how to influence polices, while they will also have the chance to pitch their projects outside of the documentary industry. Furthermore, in a session of pre-arranged one-to-one meetings, they will meet key players, including NGOs, organisations and foundations.

The programme is co-presented with Doc Society, and it is supported by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC), MEDIA Desk Switzerland and SUISSIMAGE.