The WeWorld Festival is an event dedicated to social cinema, human rights, and the stories of those living on the margins, both socially and geographically. Through a selection of films, talks, and discussions, the festival brings powerful and necessary narratives to the big screen, focusing on climate justice, gender equality, and human rights.
Promoted by the humanitarian organisation WeWorld and organised in collaboration with the Cineteca of Bologna, the festival features a film competition with three dedicated awards and a rich programme of screenings, debates, and performances, creating a space for dialogue and visibility for voices that are too often overlooked.
WeWorld launches the II edition of the international social documentary competition WEWORLD FESTIVAL to be held in Bologna from October 8 to October 12 2025.
The 2025 edition of the social cinema review is focused on:
- Human rights
- Ongoing conflicts and peace resolution
- Gender equality
- Climate and environmental justice
- Human mobility
- Marginalised people and contexts
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
The competition is open to social documentaries of any length, produced in any technique, after January 1st, 2023.
PARTICIPATION RULES
There is no entry fee. The film can be submitted on FilmFreeway only by those who hold the right to do so. WeWorld will use as contact point for any communication only the email provided for the application.
Upon completing the application, candidates will receive a registration confirmation from FILM FREEWAY.
Applications are open from 20th March until the 20th of May, 2025.
After the first screening, films admitted to the final phase of the contest will receive a notification by e-mail from the festival secretariat by the end of August 2025.
In order to be officially admitted to the Festival, shortlisted applicants will have to confirm the participation by filling in and signing a release form accepting the regulations for the presentation during the Festival. All documents and information will be sent by the festival secretariat.
The award ceremony for the winners will take place during the final evenings of the Festival in Bologna from October 8 to 12, 2025.
SELECTION PROCESS AND PRIZES
The works submitted via Film Freeway platform according to the present announcement will be considered, and, after eligibility verification will be sent to the Selection Committee.
A first screening of works will be performed by the Selection Committee of WeWorld Festival to the best productions that will be admitted to the final phase of the Contest.
The shortlisted applicants that confirm their participation will be competing in the contest and be reviewed by a jury composed by a panel of experts on each topic as follows.
The Contest offers three prizes of 1,500 Euros each, dedicated to the following themes:
> Prize for Human Rights - "Giovanni Lo Porto"
This prize will be awarded to the work that, through cinematic language, best gives voice to those experiencing human rights violations, conflicts, or forced displacement. This prize is dedicated to the memory of Giovanni Lo Porto, aid worker and WeWorld-GVC collaborator, who was killed in 2015 during a U.S. attack in Afghanistan, where he was held after being kidnapped.
> Prize for Gender Equality - "Disarming Patriarchy"
This prize will be awarded to the best documentary addressing themes of gender equality, highlighting stories and perspectives that challenge discrimination, promote inclusion and provide an intersectional approach.
> Prize for Climate and Environmental Justice - "Andrea Zani"
This prize will be awarded to the documentary that best explores the intersections between climate and social justice, human and environmental rights. The prize is dedicated to the memory of Andrea Zani, a WeWorld-GVC colleague who passed away in 2024. Andrea was involved in projects in Africa and Latin America to defend human and environmental rights, always believing in the possibility of a fairer and more just world.
The Selection Committee evaluation will give priority and consideration to works with the following characteristics:
- Grassroots productions
- Young directors
- Works produced in countries least represented in cinema circuits
- Relevance of topics addressed
Judgements on award assignments are unquestionable.
PRIZE AWARD
The prizes awarded will be assigned by WeWorld no later than December 2025.
Prizes will be disbursed via bank transfer from a Bank in Italy. The prize amount is subject to withholding tax according to Italian applicable laws (Art. 30 co. 2 of Presidential Decree 600/73), therefore 25% on the value of the prize will be deducted at the source.
The details governing the payment of the contribution to the winners will be agreed between the winners and WeWorld.
