One World 2026: From Prague cinemas across 59 Czech towns to screening rooms in the USA and Brussels
On Friday, 24 April 2026, the 28th edition of the International Human Rights Film Festival One World officially came to a close. This year’s marathon of stories about courage and human dignity, which connected dozens of cities across two continents since March, culminated in an awards ceremony in Brussels.
The festival began on 11 March in Prague, where its main programme was launched. Over the course of two weeks, Prague cinemas welcomed 22,038 attendees. The programme featured 106 films and 128 accompanying debates. Audiences and expert juries recognised the most powerful films of the year:
- International Competition Jury Award for Best Film: My Word Against Mine (dir. Maasja Ooms, Netherlands, 2025). This inventive film set in a psychotherapeutic environment offers a unique conversation between a therapist, a group of people, and their inner voices.
- Audience Award: Driving Europe (dir. Felix Länge, Germany, 2026). A raw documentary shedding light on working conditions comparable to modern-day slavery faced daily by truck drivers on European roads.
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Regional relay: 59 towns across the Czech Republic
Following its Prague opening, the festival expanded into the regions, reaching a record 59 towns across the Czech Republic. Screenings took place not only in cinemas but also in cultural centres and community spaces. This unique network brought human rights issues and discussions on current global affairs directly to thousands of viewers in their local communities, reaffirming the festival’s role as the country’s largest public forum.
One World in Schools: 25 years of education through documentary film
A key part of the festival was the educational programme One World in Schools, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Screenings combined with expert discussions were held for pupils from primary school through to secondary students. This year’s programme focused on strengthening media literacy, empathy, and critical thinking through films such as Cuba & Alaska, In the Belly of AI, and White Gold: Elon Musk and the Race for Argentina's Lithium. Educational materials from One World are currently used by approximately two-thirds of Czech schools, making the festival a vital tool for addressing contemporary social issues in the classroom.
Washington and New York: New partnerships in the USA
This year’s edition stood out for its strong presence overseas, where One World was presented in a comprehensive format for the first time. In Washington, DC, the festival collaborated with the prestigious Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF), part of the Green Film Network.
Two screenings were organised for local audiences. The Czech documentary Resilience captivated viewers not only with its theme of preserving Central European landscapes but also with its exceptional visual style. The subsequent discussion featured festival director Ondřej Kamenický and protagonist Pavel Pokorný, moderated by Holly Jonas from the renowned platform Mongabay. The second film, To the West, to Zapata, was followed by a debate with prominent Cuban human rights activist and lawyer Laritza Diversent.
The American programme continued in New York, where One World, in cooperation with the Czech Centre and the Václav Havel Center, repeated both screenings. The discussions offered valuable insights into environmental protection and the current complex situation in Cuba, confirming that One World and the People in Need organisation are regarded in the United States as highly professional and sought-after partners.
The Hague and Brussels: Finale in the heart of Europe
This year’s Brussels edition was preceded for the first time by a successful programme in The Hague, developed in close cooperation with the Movies that Matter festival, a partner from whom One World is taking over leadership of the international Human Rights Film Network, which brings together more than 50 festivals worldwide. Three screenings (Traces, A Free Daughter of Free Kyrgyzstan, and Politzek: The Voices That Defy the Kremlin) were accompanied by debates moderated by Nadiia Ivanova, Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy at People in Need.
The festival’s final chapter, held for the nineteenth time in Brussels, took place from 20 to 24 April. Cinemas and European Parliament venues were transformed into discussion platforms, where nearly 1,000 viewers attended screenings and nine expert debates.
Winners of One World in Brussels 2026:
- Main Award: The Voice of Hind Rajab, a chilling reconstruction of the failure to protect civilians in Gaza
- Special Mention: A Free Daughter of Free Kyrgyzstan and Welded Together
“One World 2026 has shown that stories of courage speak a universal language. Whether it’s a packed cinema in Police nad Metují or a hall in Brussels, the need for dialogue and empathy is equally strong everywhere,” concludes festival director Ondřej Kamenický.
Thank you to all audiences, partners, and regional organisers. See you in 2027!
Photo: Lukáš Bíba