About the Festival
For more than two decades, the One World Festival has been one of the integral parts of the activities of Czech humanitarian and human rights organizations People in Need. Since the festival was established in 1999, it has been bringing documentaries on human rights from around the world to local audiences, screening them in dozens of towns throughout the country and also at Czech primary and secondary schools. One World has been awarded by UNESCO for its contribution to raising awareness of human rights.
Today, One World is the largest festival of its kind in the world.
Dozens of guests from all over the world participate every year – not only filmmakers but also protagonists and human rights defenders. Discussions with them are one of the pillars of the program.
The organizing team also strives for openness and accessibility to all spectators, including the blind and visually impaired, the deaf and hard of hearing, and to people with reduced mobility and mental disabilities.
In recent years, the festival, like other, not only cultural events, has been hit by the pandemic and in 2022, the health measures associated with it prevented the festival from being held physically.
Ondřej Kamenický has been the festival director since 2017.
People in Need was founded in 1992 and today is one of the largest non-profit organizations in Central Europe. It helps people in 38 countries around the world and, in addition to organizing the One World Festival, it also educates and helps people living in social exclusion in the Czech Republic.
Debate program
The debates with directors, film protagonists, human rights activists and Czech experts are as important for One World as the screenings themselves. After most screenings, the audience can participate in these discussions discussion (Q&A).
Open Discussion Programme
Impact
Films that are changing the world
The event doesn't end when the closing credits roll. Some documentaries are connected with an awareness campaign that viewers can join. These campaigns often offer an opportunity to help the film protagonists. There is also information about Czech organizations and initiatives that address the issues explored in the films. There are many ways to get involved and help.
Read moreAwarding
Homo Homini
The festival also includes the awarding of the only Czech international human rights award, Homo Homini. Presented to people or groups who have made significant contributions to the promotion of human rights. Besides moral support for the winners and their loved ones, the award attracts greater attention from the international community.
The Homo Homini Award, which People in Need has been awarding since 1994, is once again heading to South America. Javier Tarazona from Venezuela, who is currently facing false charges of treason and incitement to hatred and terrorism, has been awarded the prize for his lifelong support of human rights.
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Film category
Virtual reality projects
One World has been involved in interactive documentary projects since 2014 and has become the first Czech festival to introduce a separate annual category focusing on virtual reality films. Every year, the festival brings the audience about a dozen projects that in an innovative way draw attention to the threats faced by contemporary society.
One World Interactive categoryScreenings for schools
We also screen films for pupils and students
We've also prepared something for our youngest viewers. Every year we select documentary films adapted to school-age children, and for the older ones we have a special offer from the festival programme. In addition, moderated discussions are held within the school screenings. The selected offer for schools is accessible all year round and after the festival on the JSNS.CZ portal.
One World in Brussels
Crossing borders
Each year in Brussels, we also screen selected films for European politicians and representatives of international organisations, who can influence decisions on important human rights issues.
Where active individuals and organisations seek to launch their own human rights documentary festivals, often in countries with undemocratic regimes, we offer support and a helping hand to get started.
We have also published the practical guide How to Start a Human Rights Festival.
Networking
Cooperation with foreign partners
One world participates in Festivals Meet Festivals, a series of seminars and meetings where the organisers of human rights festivals can exchange practical experiences. Several sister festivals have become members of the Human Rights Film Network.
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Sustainability
The One World Festival has set out to achieve sustainability of the festival organisation, and to make important environmental topics available to the public. When preparing and holding the festival, we try to minimise the negative impact on the environment, from separation of waste, through the reduction of unnecessary waste to support for local producers and organisations.
One World is also a member of the Green Film Network, bringing together film festivals that address environmental issues and seek to minimise negative impacts on the environment.
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