Festival Identity is a Ji.hlava IDFF’s platform for representatives of film festivals that aims at strengthening collaboration among film festivals, encouraging know-how exchange, and building the film festivals' community. Participation in the Festival Identity programme is the most convenient and effective way for film festivals to be part of Ji.hlava IDFF.

Are you a film festival programmer or manager eager to enhance audience engagement? Join us for a specially designed workshop where we’ll collaborate to expand your festival's reach both locally and globally.

The 16th edition of Festival Identity – a networking platform for film festivals at Ji.hlava IDFF – will once again provide an excellent opportunity for festival organisers to exchange know-how and, this year, also to explore strategies for making festivals more inclusive and accessible to audiences of all backgrounds and needs. The Festival Identity workshop will take place on October 28, and the €400 participation fee includes industry accreditation with access to masterclasses, presentations, discussions, the Ji.hlava New Visions Forum & Market, the Matchmaking Accelerator, full access to festival screenings, and two nights of accommodation covered by the festival. Registration is now open.

How to make festivals more inclusive

The programme will focus on strategies for making festivals more accessible and welcoming to a broader range of audiences, including marginalized groups such as disadvantaged communities, seniors, and people with disabilities. The discussion will also explore how festivals can better connect with local communities, encouraging their active involvement and building lasting relationships. Among other discussed topic can be the use of trigger warnings and considering how to inform audiences responsibly without limiting artistic freedom, language and accessibility, or how to embed inclusivity in festival’s long-term strategy. The workshop will bring together dozens of festival organizers, to share experiences, reflect on challenges, andseek practical solutions that can help festivals evolve into truly inclusive cultural spaces.