Festival start: 29 May 2025
Festival end: 07 June 2025
The International Film and Human Rights Festival - HUMANS FEST, held in Valencia since 2008, is one of the main initiatives promoted by the Fundación por la Justicia. Its aim is to bring audiovisual culture closer to both the general public and especially vulnerable audiences, while advocating for human rights and denouncing their violations worldwide. Additionally, it features a series of activities with a social focus.
The 16th edition of HUMANS FEST will take place from May 29 to June 7, 2025.
Cash Prizes: 3,850€
SECTIONS AND AWARDS
‘Humans Fic’ Section:
Award for Best International Fiction Feature Film: €1200
Award for Best International Fiction Short Film: €400
Feature films are considered those with a runtime of 60 minutes or more, while short films must not exceed 30 minutes.
‘Humans Doc’ Section:
Award for Best International Documentary Feature Film: €1200
Award for Best International Documentary Short Film: €400
Feature films are considered those with a runtime of 60 minutes or more, while short films must not exceed 30 minutes.
‘Curt i Barrejat’ Section:
A section for Valencian short films, both fiction and documentary, that address human rights.
Films are considered Valencian if the majority of the team is from the Valencian region.
The aim of this award is to promote local audiovisual culture committed to human rights. Short films must not exceed 30 minutes.
Award for Best Valencian Short Film: €400
‘Building Peace in One Minute’ Section:
Micro-films up to 1’30’’ (including credits) addressing any aspect of human rights under the theme of "Armed Conflicts and a Culture of Peace," created by students.
This is a traditional section of the Humans Fest, aiming to promote human rights and audiovisual culture among Valencian students. Participation is organized through agreements with Valencian audiovisual schools, but individuals may also participate if they can verify they are enrolled in formal education.
Building Peace in One Minute Award: €250
Other non-monetary awards will also be presented during the festival. For example, the EDAV Award, granted by the Valencian Association of Audiovisual Writers, for the Best Valencian Short Film Script.
16th International Film and Human Rights Festival of Valencia
HUMANS FEST 2025
OBJECTIVES
The International Film and Human Rights Festival - HUMANS FEST, held in Valencia since 2008, is one of the main activities promoted by the Fundación por la Justicia. Its aim is to bring audiovisual culture closer to the general public and particularly vulnerable groups, while advocating for human rights and denouncing their violations worldwide.
Additionally, it organizes various socially oriented activities.
DATES
The 16th edition of HUMANS FEST will take place from May 29 to June 7, 2025.
VENUE AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Fundación por la Justicia
Carrer de Ripalda, 16, bajo,
46003 Valencia, Spain
Phone: +34 961 04 73 35
https://fundacionporlajusticia.org/humansfest/
Emails: humansfest@fundacionporlajusticia.org, info@fundacionporlajusticia.org
SECTIONS AND awards
‘Humans Fic’ Section
Best International Fiction Feature Film Award: €1,200
Best International Fiction Short Film Award: €350
Features: Films over 60 minutes long.
Shorts: Films no longer than 30 minutes.
‘Humans Doc’ Section
Best International Documentary Feature Film Award: €1,200
Best International Documentary Short Film Award: €400
Features: Films over 60 minutes long.
Shorts: Films no longer than 30 minutes.
‘Curt i Barrejat’ Section
A section for Valencian documentary and fiction short films addressing human rights. Valencian shorts must have a majority of their crew based in Valencia. The aim is to promote local audiovisual culture committed to human rights.
Best Valencian Short Film Award: €400
Shorts: Films no longer than 30 minutes.
‘Building Peace in One Minute’
Micromovies up to 1’30’’ (including credits) addressing any aspect of human rights under the theme “Armed Conflicts and Culture of Peace,” created by students. This traditional section promotes human rights and audiovisual culture among Valencian students through partnerships with local schools or individual participation (proof of enrollment required).
Building Peace in One Minute Award: €250
Additional non-monetary awards, such as the EDAV Award granted by the Valencian Audiovisual Writers Association for Best Valencian Short Film Script, will also be presented during the festival.
THEMATIC SCOPE
For 2025, all competitive categories will accept works on any human rights-related topic, except the “Building Peace in One Minute” category, which focuses exclusively on "armed conflicts and culture of peace."
Submissions may include:
International Documentary Feature Films
International Fiction Feature Films
International Documentary Short Films
International Fiction Short Films
Valencian Short Films in the “Curt i Barrejat” section
Submissions must relate to human rights as outlined in the Universal Declaration, emphasizing an intersectional perspective.
REGISTRATION
Films must be submitted via Festhome.
Registration period: December 30, 2024, to March 20, 2025, for all categories except “Building Peace in One Minute.”
The deadline for “Building Peace in One Minute” submissions is April 30, 2025. Submissions for this section are free and can also be emailed with receipt confirmation to the HUMANS FEST team.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
Productions must be dated after January 1, 2024.
Films must not have premiered in Valencia in public theaters, on DVD/Blu-ray, video, television, or online with free access.
subtitles: All films must include subtitles in english, Spanish, or Valencian/Catalan.
JURY
Each section will have an independent jury composed of experts in audiovisual arts and/or human rights, combining artistic and social criteria.
For the “Building Peace in One Minute” section, awards will be determined by the audience (popular jury).
SELECTED FILMS
Selected films must submit copies in the following formats:
Features: Physical DCP format, sent via postal service (participant covers shipping; festival covers return).
Shorts: MP4 format, sent electronically.
Non-Spanish-language films must submit
subtitles in Spanish in .srt format prior to the festival.
Once selected, films cannot be withdrawn by producers or distributors. Films may also be shown in special sessions with prior author consent. HUMANS FEST reserves the right to use selected film excerpts for promotional purposes.
Micromovies in the “Building Peace in One Minute” category must include a document detailing the title, synopsis, and crew members' names.
Prizes
Monetary prizes will be paid via bank transfer, subject to applicable taxes. Winning films must reference the award received at HUMANS FEST in all promotional materials, posters, and opening credits for distribution in Spain.
ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
By submitting, participants fully accept the terms and conditions. Festival organizers reserve the right to interpret and apply these rules. For inquiries, contact humansfest@fundacionporlajusticia.org.
DATA PROTECTION
Participants must consent to the processing of their personal data for purposes outlined in the application process. Data will not be shared with third parties except as legally required.
For data protection matters not explicitly mentioned, the applicable legislation includes EU Regulation 2016/679 and Organic Law 3/2018 on Personal Data Protection and Digital Rights Guarantee.
International documentary
Feature Films >60' (2024+)
Standard Fee2€ -8% 1.84€ PRO 23% 1.54€
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
20 Mar 25
Save up
0.46€
Submit
a) The minimum duration of the documentaries will be 60 minutes and whose theme is related to human rights.
b) The film must be unreleased in the city of Valencia.
c) An independent jury will determine the First Prize valued at €1,000.
d) Project registration will have a fee of €2.
International Short Film
Short Films 30'< (2024+)
Standard Fee2€ -8% 1.84€ PRO 23% 1.54€
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
20 Mar 25
Save up
0.46€
Submit
a) The maximum duration of fiction short films will be 30 minutes and whose theme is related to human rights.
b) The film must be unreleased in the city of Valencia.
c) An independent jury will determine the First Prize for Best Fiction Short Film valued at €350.
d) Project registration will have a fee of €2.
Valencian Short Films
Short Films >2' 30'< (2024+)
Standard Fee2€ -8% 1.84€ PRO 23% 1.54€
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
20 Mar 25
Save up
0.46€
Submit
a) Only short films produced in the Valencian Community at least 30% may participate.
b) The maximum duration of the short films will be 30 minutes and the thematic axis is open to all human rights, included in the Universal Declaration.
c) The film must be unreleased in the city of Valencia.
d) An independent jury will determine the First Prize valued at €350.
e) The registration cost will have a fee of €2. If they wish and if they meet the requirements, production companies may simultaneously register their works in the international section and in the Valencian short film section but, if selected, it will only be screened in one of the sections.
Building Peace in One Minute
Short Films 2'< (2022+)
No Fee
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
20 Mar 25
Save up
0€
Submit
a) Short films created in both formal and informal educational institutions within the Valencian Community are eligible to participate.
b) The maximum duration is 1 minute and 30 seconds, including credits, and the theme must be related to human rights, particularly the focus of this edition: topics related to “armed conflicts and a culture of peace,” as described in point 4 of these guidelines.
c) The submission deadline is April 30, 2025.
d) The award will be decided by public vote.
e) There is no registration fee.
f) Projects can be submitted through Festhome or by emailing the final copy, including the title of the work and the author’s name, to humans@humansfest.com.
g) The Best Project ‘One Minute, One Right’ award is valued at €250 and will be selected by public voting during the Festival dates.
Feature Film
Feature Films >60' (2024+)
Standard Fee2€ -8% 1.84€ PRO 23% 1.54€
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
20 Mar 25
Save up
0.46€
Submit
a) The minimum duration of the feature films will be 60 minutes and whose theme is related to human rights.
b) The film must be unreleased in the city of Valencia.
c) An independent jury will determine the First Prize valued at €1,000.
d) The EDAV screenwriters' association will determine the award for the best script, without a financial award.
e) Project registration will have a fee of €2.
International Documentary Short Film
Short Films 30'< (2024+)
Standard Fee2€ -8% 1.84€ PRO 23% 1.54€
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
20 Mar 25
Save up
0.46€
Submit
a) The maximum duration of the documentary short films will be 30 minutes and whose theme is related to human rights.
b) The film must be unreleased in the city of Valencia.
c) An independent jury will determine the First Prize for Best Documentary Short Film valued at €350.
d) Project registration will cost €2.
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods.
-8%
1.84€
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods. 