In an interview with International Law expert and filmmaker Stefan Ziegler, the newspaper Luxemburger Wort examined the growing disregard for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the broader implications for International Law. Mr Ziegler argues that while International Law is often ignored or selectively applied, its existence remains crucial.
Despite skepticism and evolving challenges—such as conflicts involving non-State actors and the rise of AI-driven warfare—Stefan Ziegler insists that International Law must be reinforced rather than abandoned. Accountability, he asserts, is key to maintaining the rule of law, ensuring that all leaders, regardless of power or political status, can be held responsible for their actions.
Stefan Ziegler adds, one way to keep the discourse of International Law alive and indeed spark debate is founded in his film work, namely the upcoming documentary “The Mandate – for whom International Law matters”.
“Das Wort”, daily newspaper, Luxembourg
Summary of the article:
"This Has Nothing to Do with Justice Anymore"
The Role of Documentary Films in Highlighting International Legal Issues - podcast series
Center for New Economics Studies
Jindal Global Law School, India
Media
In this thought-provoking episode, Shivali Yadav engages with Stefan Ziegler, a humanitarian advocate and award-winning documentary filmmaker with over 25 years of experience in international law and diplomacy. Having worked with organizations like UNRWA, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the EU, Ziegler sheds light on the intersection of humanitarianism, advocacy, and film in shaping global narratives.
Events
World Premiere – Kelibia, Tunisia – 16 August 2025, 21.30
Tunis, 24 July 2025
Invitation Letter - the 38th session of FIFAK
Dear Mr. Ziegler,
We have the honor to inform you that the Tunisian Federation of Amateur Filmmakers (non-professional) FTCA organizes the 38th Session of the International Amateur Film Festival of Kélibia, FIFAK.
We are supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the National Centre for Cultural Affairs, Cinema and Image in collaboration with the Municipality of the city of Kélibia.
The Film Festival takes place from the 16 to 23 August 2025 in Kélibia – Tunisia.
We are very happy to invite you to participate in our festival, in the quality of guest of honour and member of the International Jury. We would kindly ask you to allow us to program in "THE MANDATE – for whom international law matters" for the opening night on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 9:30 p.m. at the Zin Essafi open-air theater in Kélibia and add "BROKEN" for the special evening dedicated to Palestine on August 17.
With our most distinguished greetings,
Adel ABID,
Director of the Festival
European Premiere - 16 September 2025
The International Human Rights Film Festival in Albania (IHRFFA) comes with a new way of educating people with the human rights concepts. Constituted as a cultural platform for the dissemination and awareness rising of the people on human rights issues, it operates through using image as its instrument.
IHRFFA includes in its program documentary, fiction and animated films dealing with human rights that are sensitive especially for the Albanian society. This event brings to the public’s attention similar experiences from all over the world and by using image as its tool, the impact is stronger and direct.
Selected for Private Online Previews (out of competition)
Los Angeles Lift-Off - August 2025
Tokyo Lift-Off – June 2025
Manchester Lift-Off – April 2025
Darbhanga, India – 7-9 February 2025
Academic World Premiere - The Graduate Institute, Geneva - 11 March 2025
«Why not a World Film Premiere for Academia?» (LinkedIn March 2025)
Ordinarily film premieres are associated with red carpets and fancy
dresses. This one came with research questions and legal debate.
The private screening brought together a diverse audience. The lecture theater
was stretched over its seating capacity of 140 guests. About half of the audience were made up of postgraduate students, the other half was composed of professionals from Geneva International organizations and academia working in the humanitarian/legal field. The event culminated in the reworking of “The Mandate”, a TV version of 59 minutes instead of the 74 minutes of the original academic version.
Two months later the current film was finalized and started its film festival circuit in late May 2025.
Research
The Liminality Research Initiative is a Learning Alliance that facilitates the creation of knowledge about International Law through documentary film
Learning Alliance – Building Knowledge Across Borders was founded as a non-governmental organisation in April 2014 in Geneva to establish Learning Alliance as a method for cooperatively implementing educational and development projects. All partners voluntarily share ownership in the research project. Additional to working in partnership with peer organisations and institutions, “LearningAlliance – the NGO” is itself a member of a Swiss umbrella organisation of some 40 advocacy-related development organisations in the domain of education and international cooperation, RECI (info@reci-education.ch).
The applied research initiative The Liminality: betwixt international law and knowledge creation is based on participatory action research (PAR) with academic and other partners that explore the educational contribution of documentary film to International Law and knowledge creation. The following two films serve as a starting point to this social scientific research:
– “BROKEN - A Palestinian Journey through International Law”, exploring the 2004 landmark Advisory Opinion on the Wall of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). (https://broken-the-film.com/)
– “The Mandate - For Whom International Law Matters”, a documentary film on the philosophy of International Law and humanitarian practice, along with reflections on justice, state responsibility, the rule of law together with the need to create knowledge about International Law worldwide. (https://www.the-mandate.com/)
The research enables knowledge creation about International Law through various forms of engagement, particularly awareness-raising (advocacy), education (teaching, curriculum development, etc.), highlighting the role of the media in creating public perception.
Academics, researchers, journalists and legal experts evaluate the educational contribution of film through surveys, organising workshops, simulations, academic writing and interviews with International Law experts. This includes postgraduate and doctoral students creating modern communications tools for social media, such as podcasts, for policy implementation process.
The focus of this research is to examine, interpret and organise information. Cultural differences and the influence of conflict on International Law are pivotal points of reference. This type of action research lends itself perfectly to the creation of new perspectives and ideas, and to working with visual materials. The aim is to create awareness, implement change and further the discourse around International Law in its evolution.
“To disseminate knowledge about ‘International Law in conflict situations’ to youth at secondary school level worldwide, utilising documentary film as a pedagogical tool.” LAILY’s Vision Statement - 27 December 2021 https://laily.website/
LAILY – Learning Alliance International Law for Youth was established to address the gap in education about international law at secondary school level. Traditionally international law is taught at universities and only as a specialist subject. The consequence is that most people never had exposure to an import field of knowledge such as international law. We believe there is a relevant need for greater knowledge and understanding of this fundamental pillar of the international community and our daily life.
Why should we strive to integrate international law into secondary school curricula?
As teachers, it is our responsibility to equip students with the tools they need to become conscientious citizens and positive contributors to the world. Unlike any other generation, today’s youth have the world at their fingertips with the ubiquity of cell phones and internet, and it is incumbent on teachers to prepare them for success in this increasingly globalised world. International law, though it may sound immense, is not an overly difficult field for youth to understand. International law refers generally to the rules and principles that govern the interactions of sovereign states, international organizations, and individuals, shaping the world’s relations, politics, and legal challenges. At its core, international law can be viewed as an extension of the rules students already know from their homes, schools, and communities, projected onto a global scale. Understanding these norms helps them see the global community as an extension of their own, grasping how countries interact and collaborate on key issues like environmental protection and trade. Introducing international law to secondary students offers them a broader understanding of the global issues they hear about, such as human rights, international justice, trade, terrorism, and migration. This foundational knowledge equips students with the tools to critically analyze the complexities of our interconnected world, enhancing their problem-solving and decision-making skills. By studying international law, students become more informed, critical thinkers and empowered global citizens who are better prepared to contribute to discussions on global challenges. This early exposure can also inspire future careers in law, diplomacy, and international relations, fostering the next generation of leaders. So why should we teach international law? Perhaps the better question is, why are we not?
Below: Sample of the participative action-research (PAR) findings involving thousands of young people of 14+ and their secondary teachers formulating an introduction to the teaching manual for the film “The Curious” (in production)
