The 24th WATCH DOCS Traveling Film Festival in Lublin opens this Friday

Join us for the 24th WATCH DOCS Traveling Film Festival: Human Rights in Film

May 8–9, 2026
baobab, Krakowskie Przedmieście 39

This unique annual event creates a space for discussion about the most pressing challenges of today’s world. At its core are human rights, explored through powerful and timely social issues.

This year’s program features the Grand Prize winner of WATCH DOCS 2025 in Warsaw, as well as a moving story of women experiencing war, whose friendship proves stronger than fear.

We will also reflect on disinformation—its impact on society, everyday life, and the environment—and examine its links to ecological issues and armed conflicts.

WATCH DOCS is not only about film screenings, but also about dialogue, reflection, and asking important questions.

PROGRAM

May 8, 2026 (Friday)

16:00–17:00
Exhibition opening: “Entry Point: The Women’s Case”
(curatorial tour – Free Belarus Museum)

An exhibition exploring women’s resistance, freedom, and the cost of agency under authoritarian systems.

17:00–19:00
Festival opening + screening: “Cuba & Alaska”
(93’, 2025, Ukraine/France/Belgium, dir. Yegor Troyanovsky, subtitles: PL/ENG)

A powerful documentary about two female medics evacuating the wounded from the front lines in Ukraine.

Reception after the screening, courtesy of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

20:00–21:40
“Kabul, Between Prayers”
(102’, 2025, Netherlands/Belgium, dir. Aboozar Amini, subtitles: PL/ENG)

An award-winning film offering a rare, intimate look at life in Afghanistan.

May 9, 2026 (Saturday)

14:00–15:30
“Truth or Dare”
(85’, 2025, Finland/Bulgaria/Sweden/Norway, dir. Tonislav Hristov, subtitles: PL/ENG)

A documentary about disinformation, populism, and the fight for democracy in Europe.

15:30–16:30
Panel discussion: War, Climate, and Troll Farms

Participants:

Agnieszka Demczuk
Justyna Choroś
Moderator: Anna Dąbrowska

16:40–18:00
“Divia”
(79’, 2025, Poland/Ukraine/Netherlands, dir. Dmytro Hreshko)

A visually striking documentary on the environmental impact of war in Ukraine.

18:10–19:30
“On My Own Terms”
(67’, 2025, Poland, dir. Tadeusz Chudy, subtitles: ENG)

A coming-of-age story about siblings striving for independence.

Notice

Photos will be taken during the event for promotional purposes. The organizer is not responsible for content created privately by participants.

Organizer: Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
Co-organizer: Homo Faber Association
Co-funded by: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, PKO Bank Polski Foundation, Creative Europe MEDIA
Partners: ChaiTea, Accessible Cinema Foundation
Media partners: OKO.press, ngo.pl, Nowa Polszcza, Mieroszewski Centre, SLAVA TV