Summer School in Cinema, Human Rights and Advocacy

About

The Summer School in Cinema, Human Rights and Advocacy will take place from 31 August to 9 September 2026 at the Global Campus Headquarters in Venice Lido, Italy.

The Summer School offers an exciting programme of lectures, workshops, working groups, tutorials, film screenings and discussions combining human rights expertise, media studies and video advocacy strategies.
As part of the programme participants are required to watch and analyse a selection of human rights related screenings at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Whenever possible, filmmakers and producers present at the Film Festival are invited to discuss their work with the Summer School participants. Participants will be provided with a Cinema category accreditation pass to the Film Festival giving access to a selection of screenings.

The programme has a cross-cutting focus on environmental rights within the broader framework of human rights protection and promotion, emphasizing its impact on younger generations and local communities.

Course leader

Experts: Zoi Aliozi / Nick Danziger / Christopher Hird / Askold Kurov / Claudia Modonesi / Dalila Mujagic

Target group

Graduates, professionals of the human rights, media, NGO, advocacy and the third (voluntary) sector and anyone who uses or is interested in using audio-visual media as a tool for promoting human rights and social change are encouraged to apply to the Summer School.

A limited number of tuition waiver opportunities are available for environmental rights experts aged 18-25 (deadline for tuition waiver applicants: 20 March 2026).

Course aim

The aim of the course is to deepen your understanding of the intersection between human rights, films, digital media and video advocacy, and how to leverage these tools for social change.

The course is structured in learning activities such as lectures, practical workshops, working groups, tutorials, film screenings and film discussions.

During and beyond teaching activities, you will have the opportunity to expand your professional network and connect with inspiring people through peer learning, facilitators’ mentoring, and interaction with film industry people present at the Venice International Film Festival.

Fee info