Overview

One World is an annual film festival held in Prague that concentrates on documentaries addressing human rights and social justice. Organized by the Czech non-governmental organization People in Need, the festival brings together filmmakers, activists and audiences for a concentrated program of feature and short documentaries. Screenings typically take place at the end of April and last roughly one week, offering viewers access to around 130 films from nearly 40 countries.

Program and events

The festival program combines public screenings with a variety of complementary events designed to deepen discussion and engagement. Typical components include:

  • Film screenings — a curated selection of human rights documentaries and short films.
  • Debates and Q&A sessions — conversations with directors, producers and subject-matter experts.
  • Exhibitions — photography displays and multimedia installations that relate to festival themes.
  • Workshops and panels — sessions on documentary practice, rights advocacy and storytelling.

Theme and focus

Each year One World adopts a specific thematic focus within the broader field of human rights, highlighting particular issues, regions or forms of injustice. This rotating emphasis shapes the program and helps expose audiences to areas of concern that might receive limited attention in mainstream media. The festival’s curatorial approach pairs artistic merit with social relevance and often foregrounds films that encourage public debate and civic engagement.

History, mission and impact

Organized by People in Need, One World links cultural presentation with advocacy: it uses documentary film as a tool to inform, humanize complex issues and stimulate civic discussion. Over time the festival has become a meeting place for international filmmakers, activists and local audiences, and it supports networking, education and capacity building in the documentary community.

Practical information and further resources

Visitors interested in program details, schedules and ticketing can consult official sources and partner sites. For background on the host city see Prague, for national context see Czech Republic, and for general information about documentary human-rights cinema see resources on human-rights documentaries. The festival typically announces its full lineup a few weeks before the late-April screenings.