16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence | 16 Days 16 Films Short Film Festival

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs annually from 25 November to 10 December, between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and International Human Rights Day. The campaign unites individuals and organizations worldwide to raise awareness and call for the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence through advocacy, education, and support for survivors.

16 Days 16 Films is an annual online short film festival and competition created in support of this global campaign. The initiative amplifies the voices of women filmmakers and provides an international platform for powerful stories that confront and illuminate the many forms of violence faced by women around the world.

Founded by Johanna von Fischer and Ginta Gelvan, 16 Days 16 Films is supported by UN Women, Equimundo, Spotlight Initiative, Times Up UK, UK Says No More, Olivela and The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media

Since its launch in 2018, the festival has selected 16 exceptional short films each year from hundreds of submissions. Each film is chosen for its ability to explore, emote, or educate on an aspect of violence against women.

For the 2025 edition, the festival and competition is open to female filmmakers from every country worldwide for the first time – expanding its reach and reaffirming its mission to champion women’s stories everywhere.

During the 16 Days of Activism (25 November – 10 December), one film will be showcased online each day at 16days16films.com, spotlighting the creativity and courage of women filmmakers telling urgent, essential stories. 

An independent jury, which will include an array of individuals from various creative and socio-political backgrounds, will be responsible for choosing the winning filmmaker and two runners up. Previous jury members include Golda Rosheuvel, Actor (Bridgerton); Saffron Burrows, Actor (Enigma, Circle of Friends), Eva Birthistle, Actor (Bad Sisters) and Adwoa Aboah (Top Boy). In addition, anyone visiting the 16 Days 16 Films platform to view each of the films is invited to vote in the Audience Award for their favourite. All winners will be announced on 14th December. 

This year’s finalists and jury members will be announced on Thursday 20th November 2025.