Summer School in Cinema, Human Rights and Advocacy

About

The Summer School in Cinema, Human Rights and Advocacy is a training initiative, jointly developed by the Global Campus of Human Rights and Picture People, which will take place from 25 August to 3 September 2025 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 82nd 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

Nick Danziger and Claudia Modonesi, Picture People’s directors, will run the 10-day programme with the contribution of experts in the fields of human rights, advocacy, film studies, film production and impact.

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.

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