New Talent Films Selection at Verzió 2026
Seven documentaries from across Europe are presented at the 23rd Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival in Budapest as part of the Doc Around Europe Film Exchange Programme.
From November 17 to 25, 2026, the 23rd Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival in Budapest presents seven films selected through the Doc Around Europe Film Exchange Programme.
The selection brings together a diverse range of documentary voices exploring themes such as family, identity, migration, human rights, war, and environmental protection. Through personal stories and powerful cinematic perspectives, the films offer insights into some of the most pressing social and political issues of our time.
The Selected Films
TO HOLD A MOUNTAIN
Biljana Tutorov & Petar Glomazić | Serbia, France, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia | 2026 | 105 min
In the remote highlands of Montenegro, a shepherd mother and daughter defend their ancestral mountain against plans to turn it into a NATO military training ground.
Screenings: November 18 & 23
IF PIGEONS TURNED TO GOLD
Pepa Lubojacki | Slovakia, Czech Republic | 2026 | 110 min
An intimate and experimental exploration of alcohol addiction within the filmmaker's family, combining long-term observation, personal reflections, and AI-animated photographs.
Screenings: November 17 & 24
DEATH IN THE MAKING
Piotr Pawlus | Netherlands, Poland | 2026 | 84 min
Through his experiences delivering humanitarian aid and transporting refugees, filmmaker Piotr Pawlus documents the suffering, resilience, and everyday realities of life during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Screenings: November 20 & 25
DAYS YET UNKNOWN
Jola Wieczorek | Austria | 2026 | 81 min
A personal journey across Europe tracing the filmmaker's family history from Poland to the Austrian Alps, exploring questions of migration, belonging, and home.
Screenings: November 20 & 25
THE ECHO OF THE HERD
Matthias Joulaud & Lucien Roux | Switzerland, France | 2026 | 79 min
An intimate portrait of Didier, a deaf cattle farm worker living in rural isolation, who finds refuge in his work following the death of his brother.
Screenings: November 18 & 23
TEHRAN UNDER THE SKIN
Afsaneh Salari | France, Iran, Sweden | 2026 | 82 min
Exploring the widespread practice of plastic surgery in Iran, the film examines the relationship between body image, social pressure, and personal freedom.
Screenings: November 19 & 23
THE CULPRITS
Marta Duran Lozano | Spain | 2026 | 88 min
Drawing on the filmmaker's own experience of abortion as a teenager, the documentary brings together anonymous testimonies to challenge stigma and encourage conversations about reproductive rights.
Screenings: November 22 & 25
The film received the Doc Around Europe Award at DocsBarcelona 2026.
Supporting Emerging Documentary Voices Across Europe
The Film Exchange Programme is one of the core activities of the Doc Around Europe network. By presenting selected films at partner festivals across different territories, the programme strengthens the circulation and visibility of emerging European documentary filmmakers, creates opportunities to reach new audiences, and encourages cultural exchange beyond national borders.
The 23rd Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival takes place in Budapest from November 17 to 25, 2026.
Discover the films, screening times, and ticket information:
https://verzio.org/en/2026
