A special edition of the Movies that Matter Festival will take place in The Hague from Friday 20 to Sunday 28 March. The international film and debate festival on human rights, peace and freedom has been extended by 2 days, and in addition to seventy high-profile films this year will present six major talk shows, the live broadcast of VARA's radio program Spijkers met Koppen and three exhibitions in and around Filmhuis Den Haag. and Theater aan het Spui. And there is a varied in-depth program every day with Q&As, debates with international guests and music performances. Movies that Matter Festival; more than just a movie!

LGBT themes are central to a selection of films.

More information about the festival programme, reservations and ticket sales can be found on the Movies that Matter Festival website: www.moviesthatmatter.nl 

A few films are highlighted below, with links to more extensive information about the films and the in-depth program on the Movies that Matter website.

Children 404

Life for teenagers is not always easy. Since Putin's 'anti-gay law' from 2013, it has even become a real struggle for gay youth in Russia. Parents, teachers and psychologists do not offer a safe haven: they even risk a fine if they want to help. Teenagers can tell their story on the online platform Children 404. The Russian authorities are now threatening to block the site; the founder recently received a hefty fine.
Read more.

The Abominable Crime

Besides being a land of sun, sea and pearly white beaches, Jamaica is a place where you are not sure about your life as a gay person. Maurice Tomlinson, one of Jamaica's leading human rights activists, and gay, faces death threats and flees to Canada. Maurice Tomlinson is a guest at the festival.
Read more.

Pride

Heartwarming and cheerful feature film, based on a true story. In the summer of 1984, during the Thatcher era, a group of gay activists decide to raise money to support the families of the striking miners.
Read more. 

Stories of Our Lives

Anthology of five life stories of LGBT people in Kenya by the Nairobi artist collective The Nest. Courageous, poetic document that testifies to love and contrariness. The Kenyan authorities were not happy with the success of the film at international festivals, such as in Toronto and Berlin, and arrested one of the producers.
Read more.