A new challenge for cinematography enthusiasts: UNHCR and COR launch the „One Minute Festival: On the Move” film festival

The festival is hosted by Mediacor and will bring together, in a creative environment, amateur and professional filmmakers, including refugees, and Moldovan alike over the course of several months. Participants will be challenged to create one-minute films that capture moments related to relocation, journeys, or the experiences of refugees who have been forced to leave their homes.



The main goal of the festival is to encourage creativity through one-minute storytelling, promote intercultural dialogue, tolerance, and offer refugees a chance to share their stories.

“Art in general, including and especially drama and cinema, is a compelling portrayal of the journeys of humanity. Every frame and narrative, captures the profound movement of the human spirit, projecting the stories of displacement onto the screen”, said Francesca Bonelli, UNHCR Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

“This is a great opportunity for refugee and Moldovan storytellers to come together to voice their hopes and dreams, to call for peace in and dreams of people on the move in a one-minute film.” 

During October and November, participants will have access to a series of creative workshops addressing various topics related to cinematography and refugee issues. Mentors will also guide them in creating their one-minute films.

Subsequently, these films will be evaluated by a professional jury, and the three best productions will be awarded. Winners will each receive a high-performance Sony camera. The actual festival, where all the films will be presented, will take place at the beginning of 2024, both in Chisinau and in other regions of the country.

The Minister of Culture, Sergiu Prodan, said he aims to nurture enthusiasm among young filmmakers.

“I have set myself the political goal of raising a new class of filmmakers, especially film producers. This initiative will bring a new breath of fresh air to filmmaking and also connect the creative minds of Moldova and Ukraine,” said Sergiu Prodan, Minister of Culture.

„One Minute Festival: On the Move” is a platform that creates connections between different communities and encourages people to tell their story in an artistic way. Those wishing to register for the festival are encouraged to do so here.