Activists Without Borders Film Festival & Awards (4)

Festival start: 17 October 2026      Festival end: 18 October 2026

The Activists Without Borders Film Festival (AWBFF) and Awards is an in-person event held in the UK, celebrating powerful documentaries and dramas that address critical issues such as human rights violations, the climate crisis, and social inequality.

This annual event serves as a platform for impactful storytelling and social change, featuring a diverse range of film screenings, thought-provoking panel discussions, and an awards ceremony to honour excellence in social filmmaking.

Each year, AWBFF attracts hundreds of submissions from filmmakers worldwide. Selected films are screened during the festival, followed by discussions that delve into their themes and encourage collaboration and networking among attendees.

In addition to competitive awards, the festival presents trophies to runners-up and honorary awards to many other submissions in recognition of their efforts in social filmmaking. Last year, over 70% of submissions received either a Social Impact Award or an Honorary Award.

Host:
Activists Without Borders (AWB) is a UK-based non-profit advocacy and campaigns group dedicated to protecting human and environmental rights, empowering activists, and addressing injustices worldwide.

Venue:
This year's festival will take place at the Reading Biscuit Factory Cinema, Reading, on 17-18 October 2026.

The AWBFF recognises films through both competitive and non-competitive awards:

Non-Competitive Awards

Honorary Award for Efforts in Social Filmmaking – A tribute to filmmakers whose works deliver powerful messages despite minimal technical criteria. This award replaces the traditional honourable mention to spotlight films that drive social impact.

Social Impact Award – Presented to films with compelling narratives, significant impact, and exceptional technical quality. Winners are considered for the competitive awards.

Competitive Awards – The top film from the Social Impact Award category will be selected for one of the following competitive awards:

Best Documentary Award
Best Ultra Short Doc Award
Best Short Documentary Award
Best Short Drama Award
Best Animation Award
Best Experimental Film Award
Best Feature Film Award

In addition to the above, the following awards may be presented if any submissions are deemed deserving:

Best Environmental Film
Best Human Rights Film
Best Political Film
Best Humanitarian Film

1. Non-English productions must include embedded English subtitles.

2. Films must be at least 720p for submission and include a short synopsis in English.

3. Submitted films must not be older than three years from the festival date.

4. Filmmakers accepted to and attending the festival are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and all other related expenses.

5. Not all selected films will be screened at the festival. Filmmakers must pay if they wish to receive their award by post.

6. All submissions must adhere to the duration guidelines, submission deadlines, and other requirements set forth by the festival organisers.

7. Submitted films should address social issues directly and go beyond mere entertainment. These issues include, but are not limited to: human rights, climate crisis, gender rights, poverty, social justice, political matters, wildlife, labour issues, peace and war, health and disability, education, cultural activism, community activism, religious and faith-based topics, artistic expression, housing and homelessness, refugee and migrant issues, consumer rights, drug policy reform, Black Lives Matter, and domestic violence.