The One World Film Festival, which focuses on documentary and human rights-focused features from around the globe, will return to Prague from March 11 to 19 for its 28th edition. One of the Czech capital’s biggest film festivals, this year’s One World will present 106 films across ten local cinemas, reaffirming its position as one of Europe’s leading documentary events focused on social justice.
Organizers say this year’s program is united by a belief that, in times of injustice and growing global tension, storytelling can offer perspective and foster dialogue. Following the Prague dates, the festival will continue with Prague Echoes screenings and expand to a record 60 cities and towns across the Czech Republic through April 24, with most screenings accompanied by debates featuring filmmakers and experts.
“In a time of growing tension, we want to create a place where people can speak openly and freely,” festival director Ondřej Kamenický said in a statement. “We see the festival as one of the pillars of a democratic space.”
Opening night and competition highlights
The festival will open March 11 at Prague Crossroads with the annual Homo Homini Award ceremony, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to human rights. This year’s laureate is Belarusian politician Mikalaj Statkevič, recognized for his long-standing defense of democratic principles. According to organizers, Statkevič resisted a forced deportation attempt following his release from prison in May 2025 and is currently detained again at an undisclosed location. His family will accept the award on his behalf.
The ceremony will be followed by the world premiere of Meant to Be, described as a generational portrait of contemporary Hungary. The film’s protagonist, rap artist Pogány Induló, is expected to attend the Prague screening in person.
The International Competition section will showcase recent high-profile titles from the global documentary circuit. Among them are the Oscar-nominated The Voice of Hind Rajab, focusing on contemporary Palestine, and 32 Meters, which examines resistance within Turkey’s patriarchal social structures.
The Czech Competition will center on domestic themes, ranging from environmental issues to media freedom and personal identity. Titles include Resilience, an environmental appeal; 80 Angry Journalists, addressing political pressure on the media; and Vojta’s Life: A New Episode, an intimate exploration of modern relationships.
Several films will appear in the Right to Know section, which focuses on resistance to authoritarian systems and social norms. Highlights include A Free Daughter of Free Kyrgyzstan, The Woman Who Teased the Leopard, When I Get Jailed, and Eyes of the Machine, which explores digital surveillance. The Ukrainian documentary Traces examines the long-term effects of war trauma.
The festival will also continue its investment in immersive storytelling through its Virtual Reality section. Projects such as Space for Action, addressing domestic violence, and Under the Same Sky, set on the streets of Gaza, aim to place viewers inside contemporary human rights crises using VR technology.
Thematic programs, education and nationwide reach
Beyond its competitive strands, One World 2026 will feature eight non-competitive thematic sections addressing climate change, digital technology, civic courage and social division.
The Everyday Courage and Against the Tide sections present stories of individuals confronting authority or entrenched systems. Films include Voices Against the Kremlin, centered on Russian political prisoners; The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs & Who Has Control, about debates surrounding “female Viagra”; and I Follow Rivers, which follows extreme kayaking as a personal and environmental journey.
The Fault Lines section explores polarization in both public and private life, including My Boyfriend the Fascist, while Visions of Today focuses on technology and artificial intelligence, with titles such as In the Belly of AI. Environmental issues are addressed in the Climate in Need section, and Community Vortex turns toward intergenerational relationships and spiritual rituals.
A retrospective dedicated to Norwegian documentarian Gunnar Hall Jensen will present selections from his personal film diaries, highlighting vulnerability as a recurring theme in his work.
Education remains a central pillar of the festival through the One World at Schools initiative. Morning screenings will introduce thousands of pupils and students to global issues through film, followed by moderated discussions. Younger audiences will focus on themes of empathy and cooperation, while high school students will engage with human rights and digital culture in documentaries such as Dangerous Games: Roblox and the Metaverse Exposed and In the Belly of AI.
The 2026 edition marks the festival’s largest domestic expansion to date, reaching 60 Czech cities and towns. In addition to established regional stops such as Zlín, the festival will visit Rumburk, Tanvald and Prachatice for the first time. Organizers say regional programs will incorporate debates, live podcast recordings and nontraditional screening venues, including an industrial space in Brno for the premiere of Girls on the Go.
Accessibility remains a priority, with the One World for All program marking 10 years of systematic efforts to make screenings accessible to viewers with visual, hearing or mobility impairments. Local cinemas screening films as part of this year’s festival include Kino Světozor, Kino Lucerna, Edison Filmhub, Bio Oko, Kino Pilotů, Kino Ponrepo, Kino Evald, Kino 35, and the Municipal Library of Prague.
Tickets to the One World Film Festival are available through GoOut, and the full program and guest list can be found on the festival’s official website.
Lead photo: Pogány Induló in Meant to Be (2026)
