IBSA Supports Art that Champions Human Rights: Partnering with the Lugano Human Rights Film Festival and the Festival of Ethical Photography in Lodi

A film frame that transports us to the heart of a story. A photograph that captures a moment and reveals its most authentic emotion. Cinema and photography have the extraordinary power to transcend barriers, offering an open window onto the vulnerabilities and difficulties of human experience.

Recognising this value, in 2026 IBSA continues its support for two prominent cultural events: the Lugano Human Rights Film Festival (FFDUL) in Switzerland and the International Festival of Ethical Photography in Lodi, Italy.

Although distinct, both events share a common goal: using culture as an open platform for reflection and inclusion. For IBSA, putting the Person at the centre of its initiatives involves creating opportunities for dialogue and fostering a deeper awareness of universal rights.

Supported by IBSA as Main Sponsor since 2022, the Lugano Human Rights Film Festival has reached its thirteenth edition, taking place from 11 to 18 October 2026.

The Festival remains a significant cultural event for the local community and younger generations, hosting screenings and discussions across key venues in Lugano, including Cinema Corso, Cinema Iride and USI Auditorium, into the beating heart of a collective reflection. The event’s importance was underscored by the attendance of notable guests, including Filippo Grandi, former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the opening ceremony.

Through this partnership, IBSA supports a platform that empowers independent filmmakers and promotes:

• educational screenings for schools, engaging younger generations;
• the documentation and reporting of human rights violations;
• support for organisations committed to defending human dignity.

At the same time, from 26 September to 25 October, IBSA Italy supported the International Festival of Ethical Photography in Lodi, strengthening a partnership initiated in 2024.

The Festival leverages photojournalism to examine complex social issues, raising public awareness through more than 20 exhibitions across the city and featuring work from over 100 international photojournalists. Among the highlights are the exhibitions associated with the World Report Award | Documenting Humanity. IBSA’s involvement highlights the capacity of photography to encourage audiences to pause and develop an ethical and engaged perspective on contemporary social challenges of our time.

‘Supporting initiatives such as the Lugano Human Rights Film Festival and the Festival of Ethical Photography in Lodi means promoting a culture that does more than entertain: one that raises awareness and builds bridges between people,’ states Chiara Piccolo, ESG Manager at IBSA. ‘These forms of expression help us see reality from different perspectives, strengthen our capacity for empathy and spark essential conversations about the dignity of every individual.’

In alignment with its commitment to social responsibility, IBSA supports cultural initiatives that use photography, film and art to encourage dialogue and a better understanding of the world. This contributes to a culture grounded in human rights, inclusion and civic participation laying the groundwork for a fairer and more inclusive future.