The CEI-supported Festival Identity 2025” workshop, held within the 29th Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival (IDFF), took place in Jihlava, Czechia, on 28 October 2025.
Under the theme “Inclusion in Practice: Making Festivals More Accessible to All”, the workshop brought together 36 representatives from film festivals across Europe to share experiences and develop practical strategies for more inclusive, accessible, and community-oriented events.
Nikola Páleníčková, from the One World International Human Rights Film Festival, delivered a keynote presentation highlighting core principles and practical examples of inclusive festival practices.
Participants also engaged in thematic group discussions culminating in practical insights on accessibility, audience care, community engagement, inclusive communication, and long-term inclusivity strategies.
The promotion of intercultural dialogue and respect for cultural diversity is a core CEI priority. Culture plays a central role in fostering inclusive and sustainable development, reinforcing human rights and democratic values, and helping to prevent linguistic and ethnic divides.
The activity is part of Ji.hlava’s Industry Hub — a platform connecting film professionals to share ideas and develop projects — and benefited from CEI support enabling participation from representatives of Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.
Through this initiative, the CEI reaffirms its commitment to supporting the creative industries and encouraging the exchange of best practices, while promoting diversity, participation, and equal access as essential pillars of a dynamic and inclusive European cultural space.
For more info: fabro@cei.int
