23rd Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival - Call for Entries

23rd Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival - Call for Entries

Submit Your Documentary Now!

The 23rd Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival is now accepting submissions!

We welcome fresh and creative documentaries exploring social, environmental, or human rights topics.

Festival dates:

• In cinemas (Budapest and nationwide): 17-25 November 2026.
• Online (Verziótéka platform): 26 November - 6 December 2026.

Submission Deadline: 31 May 2026.

Eligible Films:

• Documentaries produced in 2025 or 2026
• International submissions: in English
• Hungarian-language submissions: in Hungarian
• Films will be selected according to the festival's curatorial concepts. The festival programmers reserve the right to assign films to appropriate program sections.

Festival Program:

• 50 films will be selected for the program
• Includes three competition categories, non-competitive thematic sections, and the Student Verzió program for high school audiences (ideal length ≤ 60 min)
• Feature-length films and short film blocks will be screened
• Priority for premieres: international, regional, and Hungarian

Competition Sections:

• International Competition - Feature-length international documentaries
• Doc Future Competition - Feature-length first or second international documentaries
• Hungarian Competition - Partly or entirely Hungarian-produced documentaries (no length restrictions)

Selected films will be notified via the email provided in the submission form. If no response is received by 15 September 2026, the film has not been selected. Feedback cannot be provided for non-selected submissions. The final program is at the discretion of the festival.

Awards:

• Best Human Rights Film
• Best Documentary Film
• Best Hungarian Film
• Doc Future Award
• Audience Award

Juries:

• Each award is decided by a separate jury
• Jurors are appointed by the festival director (Hungarian and international experts)
• Best Human Rights Film Award is decided by a Youth Jury (5 members, dedicated to human rights; open call for applications)
• Audience Award is determined by votes from Budapest screenings

Entry Conditions:

• No entry fee
• Screening copy must be provided as an online link with access at least until the end of September 2026
• Ensure links are accessible, passwords correct, and English subtitles included

By submitting this form, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• The film has not been publicly screened in Hungary before the festival
• The film has not been previously submitted to the Verzió Film Festival
• The information provided is accurate and complete
• The film is not involved in legal disputes
• You have full rights to submit and represent the film

You also warrant that:

• The film does not infringe third-party intellectual property rights
• The film does not violate personal rights (image, reputation, sound recording, etc.) or trademarks/patents/trade secrets
• The film complies with all relevant laws (advertising, consumer protection, fair trade, competition, etc.)
• You authorize the festival to use a trailer or max. 1-minute clip for promotional purposes
• You may withdraw acceptance to the program no later than 30 August 2026
• Awarded films will acknowledge the award in official, promotional, and distribution materials

The festival reserves the right to reject films of low technical quality or late submission of screening/promotional materials.

By submitting, you accept all terms as binding.

Submission Form