Istanbul · December 2026

An initiative by

HU-roads

Human Film Forum
2026

HUMAN DAYS

A rare space where filmmakers, humanitarian organizations and researchers come together to offer a new vision of how to document human suffering and make hope.

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Days
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Hours
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+100
Expected participants
3
Days of events
2
Training workshops
5
Seminars, lectures & discussions
Organized byHU-roads
About the Forum

Where the Lens Meets the Field

The Human Film Forum is a rare space where filmmakers, humanitarian organizations and researchers come together to offer a new vision of how to document human suffering and make hope. This forum offers more than training sessions or film screenings: it builds bridges between the field and the lens — between the voice of the suffering person and the parties able to bring real change to their life. We are here to give human stories the platform they deserve, and to bring together the expertise that can turn suffering into powerful narratives that move awareness and support humanitarian work where it is most fragile.

Bridges Between Field and Lens

Connecting the voice of the suffering person with those able to bring real change to their life.

A Platform Worthy of Human Stories

Giving human stories the space and attention they deserve — beyond training sessions or screenings alone.

From Suffering to Impact

Bringing together the expertise that turns suffering into powerful narratives that move awareness and support humanitarian work where it is most fragile.

The Organizer

Who is HU-roads?

HU-roads

HU-roads is a cultural, artistic and media initiative working on projects that shed light on the human reality in conflict zones around the world, with a particular focus on the Middle East. The initiative aims to raise awareness of humanitarian issues and to help develop the performance of institutions and professionals working in humanitarian media, in order to improve the reality of affected communities.

HU-roads was launched by a group of experts and specialists in media, the arts, culture and humanitarian work, with an ambitious vision of playing a pivotal role in supporting humanitarian work and achieving positive, lasting impact.

HU-roads Objectives

  1. 01

    Strengthen the role of humanitarian media in shedding light on the suffering of affected peoples.

  2. 02

    Produce humanitarian media content that reveals the reality and suffering faced by communities in affected areas.

  3. 03

    Build partnerships with media and humanitarian bodies to develop the performance of humanitarian media.

  4. 04

    Develop the capacities of media institutions and humanitarian-media professionals through training and technical support.

  5. 05

    Shape a public opinion that engages with changing the reality of affected communities.

  6. 06

    Document inspiring humanitarian efforts and highlight their role in driving change within affected communities.

Why Humanitarian Film Matters

Why we invite you to be part of this project

Humanitarian film is one of the most powerful tools communities have today to make a real impact. It is not just an image or a scene — it is:

A Window

Through which the world sees suffering that traditional news never reaches.

A Means

Of building a new awareness that understands reality, empathizes with it and acts for it.

A Universal Language

Able to transcend borders, geography and politics.

A Tool of Lasting Impact

That stays present long after the event, the session or the report has ended.

Through the forum, we seek to give humanitarian organizations and filmmakers stronger tools to represent people with dignity, to present images that reflect the truth, and to prove their impact on memory and public opinion.

That is why your contribution to this forum is not merely funding an artistic activity — it is a direct investment in supporting people… in raising their voice and in strengthening awareness of their causes.

Forum Objectives

  • Increase knowledge of the importance of humanitarian film.

  • Develop the skills of those working in humanitarian production.

  • Showcase high-quality film models.

  • Create a networking platform between organizations and filmmakers.

  • Support new projects in the field of humanitarian film.

Who Takes Part

Directors of humanitarian and charitable organizationsMedia staff at humanitarian organizationsFilmmakers and directorsFilm producersMedia expertsFilm students and graduatesDistinguished guestsProduction companies and training institutions

This diversity makes the forum an exceptional meeting point between the artistic and the humanitarian.

Expected attendance

1000people

Detailed Forum Program

Istanbul · December 2026

Key Dates

15 October 2026

Last chance to confirm sponsorship

December 2026

The forum runs over three days in Istanbul

An intensive program combining training, dialogue, screenings and specialized discussions.

Day One
01

Opening Ceremony

02

Opening Film Screening

Day Two
03

Training Workshop 1: Humanitarian Film from Project to Production

04

Seminar 1: The Importance of Humanitarian Film and Funding

05

Lecture 1: Story and the Humanitarian Film

06

Film Screenings

Day Three
07

Training Workshop 2: Screenwriting from Idea to Evaluation

08

Seminar 2: The Ethics of Documentation in Humanitarian Film

09

Lecture 2: What Makes a Humanitarian Film Succeed — and Its Power of Impact

10

Special Discussion Session: New Ideas in Humanitarian Film Production

Forum Tracks

01

Humanitarian Film from Project to Production

A training workshop following the humanitarian film from idea and project all the way to production.

Training Workshop 1 · Day Two
02

Screenwriting from Idea to Evaluation

A training workshop on humanitarian screenwriting, from the first idea to evaluation.

Training Workshop 2 · Day Three
03

The Importance of Humanitarian Film and Funding

A seminar on why humanitarian film matters and how its projects get funded.

Seminar 1 · Day Two
Guests, Speakers & Outcomes

A lasting project that doesn't end with the event

Guests & Speakers

Specialists, stars and experts from the world of film will be invited to the forum, giving it great value and attracting a specialized, engaged audience.

Expected Outcomes

Launch of the Human Film Award 2027

An annual specialized training program

A Charter of Ethics for Humanitarian Film

These outcomes make the forum a sustainable project that doesn't end when the event does.

Forum Sponsors 2026

Funding & Sponsorship

Sponsorship Levels

Your contribution is a direct investment in supporting people

Strategic partnership

Share-Based Partnership

$10,000Value of one share

This category lets organizations and companies become strategic partners in the Human Film Forum through a share-based partnership. One share is worth USD 10,000, with only 7 shares available, reinforcing partnership in supporting the forum's mission and achieving lasting humanitarian impact. Each shareholder receives media, marketing and official benefits in proportion to the number of shares held.

  • Official supporter status of the Human Film Forum.
  • The organization's logo on media and printed materials.
  • A dedicated space to showcase the organization at the forum.
  • A special invitation for two representatives of the sponsor.
  • Networking meetings with keynote speakers and forum guests.
  • The option to launch a joint initiative or project and announce it during the forum.

Shares available: only 7

Last chance to confirm sponsorship: 15/10/2026

Commercial Advertisers

$5,000Advertising fee
  • The advertiser's logo on all media materials as a commercial sponsor.
  • The opportunity to have a dedicated sponsor space at the forum.

Student Sponsorship

$1,500Sponsorship value

This sponsorship gives directing and audiovisual-arts students with limited financial means the chance to take full part in the forum, benefit from the advanced training workshops and connect with directors and experts. The sponsor's logo also appears with the student sponsorship.

Places available: 10 students

Why we invite you to partner

Your sponsorship contributes to:

  • Developing the work of humanitarian organizations in production.
  • Supporting purposeful art.
  • Highlighting human stories.
  • Empowering a new generation of filmmakers.
  • Building a humanitarian awareness that reaches Arab and international audiences.
  • Supporting an event featuring the biggest names in humanitarian production.

Funding Sources

  • Contributions from media and humanitarian organizations.
  • Commercial sponsorships.
  • Participant subscriptions.

Project Expenses

  • Fees and travel costs for speakers and key guests.
  • Technical and logistical equipment.
  • Office supplies for participants.
  • Venue costs.
  • Food and hospitality.
  • Documentation and photography.
  • Media and marketing campaign.

We invite media and humanitarian organizations and companies to partner in the Human Film Forum 2026.

Contact the sponsorship team on WhatsApp

Contact Us

Venue & Dates

  • Place & time

    Istanbul, Türkiye, in December 2026.

  • Duration

    The forum runs over three days.

  • Program

    An intensive program combining training, dialogue, screenings and specialized discussions.

Phone / WhatsApp

+961 03 885 912
WhatsApp

Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates and the program before the forum

Send Us a Message