Originally launched in Brussels in 2007 by the United Nations Regional Information Centre (UNRIC), Ciné-ONU is now a Europe-wide initiative of regular film screenings of UN related topics followed by podium discussions with invited guests who were part of the film making process or are experts in the topic covered by the film.
In Austria, the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna started with "Ciné-ONU Vienna" in April 2012 and is honoured to partner with this human world (THW) film festival and Top Kino for the regular film screenings in Vienna planned to take place once a month.
The first screening of Ciné-ONU Vienna was the pre-premiere of the feature film "Little Dancer" by Austrian Director George Jecel on 23 April 2012 at Top Kino, followed by a discussion on human trafficking with the film director, UN experts and NGO representatives.
All film screenings are free of charge. For Ciné-ONU Vienna events at Top Kino, please come on time, as admission is on first come first served basis (Top Kino has a seating capacity of 109).
Ciné-ONU screenings are held in different languages, usually in the film's original language with English subtitles. Please check the screening invitation for language details of the particular film.
To mark the International Day of Peace, Ciné ONU Vienna screened the documentary “Cuando Las Aguas Se Juntan (When Waters Flow As One): a story of women and peace” in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the UN in Vienna.
To mark World Refugee Day Ciné ONU Vienna screened the film “Refuge” in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Austria. The film tells the story of a leader in a white nationalist hate group who finds healing with the people he once hated: a Muslim heart doctor and his town of refugees.
To mark World Press Freedom Day Ciné ONU Vienna screened the movie “20 Days in Mariupol” in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ukraine Support Office and the IOM Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
To mark International Mother Earth Day, Cine-ONU Vienna screened the film “Jane Goodall – Reasons for hope” in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the British Embassy Vienna. Jane Goodall's exploration of projects that offer hope for biodiversity inspired and captivated the audience.
To mark the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness the March-edition of Cine-ONU Vienna screened the BBC production “Nuclear Armageddon: How close are we?” in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Vienna. In this documentary, British journalist Jane Corbin puts the spotlight on the threat of a nuclear escalation by talking to a range of experts and activists.
As part of the Human Rights 75 film tour and to mark World Day of Social Justice, the February-edition of Ciné-ONU Vienna featured the documentary “My Name is Happy” on the inspirational story of young singer Mutlu Kaya who turned from a survivor of a femicide attempt to an advocate for women’s rights in Türkiye and beyond.
In 2024, the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust on 27 January marks 79 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. This year, the United Nations is paying tribute to the bravery of all those who stood up to the Nazis, despite the grave risks.
The film “From Here”, shown at Ciné-ONU Vienna to mark International Migrants Day on 18 December, explains how migration is a humanitarian issue and shines a light on the challenges people face coming to a new country or being raised between two cultures.
