Cinema for Peace and Democracy Gala 2026
On February 16, 2026, the Cinema for Peace and Democracy Gala took place in Berlin in conjunction with The World Forum on the Future of Democracy, AI/Tech and Humankind, bringing together world leaders, filmmakers, dissidents, and humanitarians under the Honorary Chairwoman Hillary Clinton. Presented by Sir Bob Geldof, the evening combined the presentation of the Cinema for Peace Doves with the Noble Prize for Guardians of Democracy, honoring cinematic works and individuals whose courage advances peace, justice, and democratic renewal in a time of war, authoritarianism, and technological upheaval.
Cinema for Peace Doves 2026
The Cinema for Peace and Democracy Doves 2026 honored a remarkable slate of films that turned cinema into a witness for the most pressing crises of our time. The Dove for the Most Valuable Film of the Year was awarded to Kaouther Ben Hania's The Voice of Hind Rajab, which reconstructs the desperate Red Crescent emergency call to save a six-year-old girl trapped in a car under IDF fire in Gaza. The Dove for the Most Valuable Documentary of the Year went to Evgeny Afineevsky's Children in the Fire, in which war-wounded Ukrainian children share their stories through a haunting blend of live footage and animation. Julia Loktev's My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow received the Dove for the Political Film of the Year, capturing independent Russian journalists fighting for press freedom as the Kremlin brands them "foreign agents" and the country drifts toward authoritarianism. The International Green Film Award was presented to Richard Ladkani's Yanuni, the story of Indigenous chief Juma Xipaia's courageous fight to protect tribal lands in the Amazon despite assassination attempts, with her Special Forces ranger husband Hugo Loss at her side. Finally, the Dove for Women's Empowerment honored Cutting Through Rocks by Sara Khak and Mohammadreza Eyni, which follows Sara Shahverdi, the first female councilor in her Iranian village, as she defies tradition by teaching girls to ride motorcycles and confronting child marriage. Together, the 2026 Doves drew attention to the war in Gaza, Ukraine's suffering children, the silencing of journalism in Russia, the defense of the Amazon and its Indigenous guardians, and the courage of women resisting patriarchal violence - affirming once again Cinema for Peace's mission to spotlight stories that must be told and must be heard.
Winners of Cinema for Peace Doves 2026
The Dove for the Most Valuable Film of the Year to The Voice of Hind Rajab by Kaouther Ben Hania
The Dove for the Most Valuable Documentary of the Year to Children in the Fire by Evgeny Afineevsky
The International Green Film Award to Yanuni by Richard Ladkani
The Dove for Women's Empowerment to Cutting Through Rocks by Sara Khak and Mohammadreza Eyni,
The Dove for the Political Film of the Year to My Undesirable Friends by Julia Loktev
CINEMA FOR PEACE 2025
The Cinema For Peace Gala 2025 celebrates the remarkable contributions of notable figures such as Antonio Banderas, Sir Bob Geldof, and Diane Von Fürstenberg, among other influential celebrities. Held at the Adlon Hotel in Berlin, this ceremony serves as a platform to recognize their commitment to social, environmental, and humanitarian change. The event not only honours their achievements but also aims to inspire others to engage in the dialogue surrounding global issues, further advancing the mission of fostering peace and justice through the powerful medium of film.
Films Honoured by Cinema for Peace 2025
Moving pictures shape our perception of reality. In our visual age, the role of the film artist is crucial in influencing our views and action. Cinema for Peace highlights the responsibility of the world of film and media.
War, terrorism and humanitarian catastrophes are sad realities in many parts of the world, and since our perception of this world is so fundamentally shaped by the media and by pictures, it is clear that film has a particularly important role to play.
No other medium has such a direct impact on the consciousness and emotions of the people and consequently, filmmakers have particular responsibility in our global society.
Cinema for Peace Foundation is constantly looking for valuable movies that deal with social, political and environmental/green issues in a valuable way. Therefore, we review all kinds of films throughout the year.
The Ethical Leader of
the World
“We must convince ourselves that,
despite all appearances to the
contrary, harmony is always possible,
at every level and in every situation. There
is no future without proposals
and projects for peace! There is
no future without peace!”
Pope Francis
His Holiness Pope Francis being presented with The Cinema for Peace Award on behalf of the world of film,
for his unique humanitarian efforts to protect civilians and children. Since day one of the invasion of Ukraine,
he has utilised his moral authority to save lives and help victims.
Three Icons of Women’s Empowerment
“You don’t solve problems by yelling at each
other. You solve problems by trying to
find some common ground and
working really hard, long days to see
if there are some ways to move forward
for our own humanity.”
Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton
at The World Forum 2024
Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton being presented
with the Cinema for Peace Honorary Award by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and esteemed actress and peace ambassador Sharon Stone
to commend her for her efforts in spreading
peace and democracy around the globe.
The Political Leader of
the Free World
“We must find the courage within ourselves to preserve the planet, protect human dignity, and provide opportunity for people everywhere.
This road will be long, but with artists
and filmmakers helping to light the way,
I know we will get there together.
President Joe Biden’s Message
to Cinema For Peace
President Biden congratulated Secretary Clinton
and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on receiving
the Cinema for Peace Award, commending the
foundation for its work in highlighting films that
address critical global challenges and reinforcing
the power of the arts in fostering a more just and peaceful world.
Cinema for Peace Gala 2025
Cinema For Peace Laudation Speaker Kamala Harris Runs For US Presidency
Click to watch: The Current US Vice President & Presidential Candidate delivers speech at Cinema For Peace Los Angeles.
From top left to right: Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, corporate security executive and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, Lilia Chanysheva, former coordinator of regional offices of the late opposition figure Alexei Navalny, former head of Open Russia movement Andrei Pivovarov, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerskhovich, co-chair of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Memorial Human Rights Centre Oleg Orlov, government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Tatar-Bashkir service Alsu Kurmasheva, Russian opposition activist and former municipal deputy of the Krasnoselsky district Ilya Yashin, artist and musician Sasha Skochilenko.
Special Mission Accomplished to Save Lives of Dissidents in Russian Prison
Fearing for the lives of Vladimir Kara-Murza and others wrongfully kept in prison in Russia and Belarus – especially after the death of Alexei Navalny – Cinema for Peace founder Jaka Bizilj initiated a prisoners' exchange of Kara-Murza, Evan Gershkovic, Paul Whelan and others by sending former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder‘s confidant Detlef Prinz to the German chancellory, to Moscow and to Istanbul in order to strike a deal, after all official negotiations had failed for more than a year. While bureaucrats endangered the objectives of this mission again, which involved several governments, courageous heads of state like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with Minister of Justice Dr. Marco Buschmann, and particularly President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proved effective. Two weeks later US President Joe Biden and Chancellor Scholz announced the exchange of prisoners. We thank Detlef Prinz for masterfully executing a ‘‘mission impossible“ for Cinema for Peace and The World Forum in a rare and small window of opportunity.