Visions du Réel Industry kicks off April 10 with a wide programme of new project presentations, Lab sessions, networking opportunities, a film market and showcase of new films, a series of industry talks and an exploration of co-production opportunities with Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
“We feel strengthened by the lessons we have learned from the digital and hybrid editions of the last two years. In fact, they have opened up new possibilities in terms of activities format and allowed us to widen the range of professionals participating in VDR–Industry,” says Head of Industry Madeline Robert. Industry activities will take place April 10-14.
Twenty-seven projects will participate in the core international forums of VdR-Pitching, VdR-Work In Progress and VdR-Rough Cut Lab. A total of 511 projects were submitted for consideration within these sections this year. Within the selection, 15 directors are female and 17 are male. Thirteen projects are directed and produced by filmmakers from countries from the global South or global East.
In addition, VdR Industry presents Prix RTS: Perspectives d’un Doc, a pitching session aiming to promote projects from French-speaking Switzerland in their development stage and the Swiss Films Previews presentation of high-end Swiss documentary films at a production stage ready to be launched on the festival circuit and the international market.
Sixteen feature length projects are invited to VdR-Pitching, the international co-production and financing forum. Ready for production, the new projects “marry artistic ambition, strong topics and international potential,” say the fest. The VdR-Work In Progress section offers up 7 creative documentaries at finishing stage and looking for final finance, distribution or sales interest, or festival slots. VdR-Rough Cut Lab is a workshop for creative documentaries seeking specific feedback and advice on their most up-to-date rough cuts.
From a development perspective , the VdR–Development Lab serves as an incubator for the development of films by teams based in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The Opening Scenes Lab is a tailor-made programme for filmmakers presenting their first short film or student film in the Official Selection. The April 14 VdR–Speed Dating session seeks to join directors with producers through a series of short meetings.
An April 10 online Industry Talk will analyse the programming of documentary films at ‘A’ festivals, asking what kind of decisions are involved, what is the potential for documentaries in the major festivals, and how they interact with the rest of the program. Moderated by Screendaily’s Finn Halligan, participants are Frédéric Boyer, Artistic Director of Tribeca Film Festival, Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan (Venice Film Festival), Cristina Nord (Berlinale Forum) Viennale Director Eva Sangiorgi.
The Switzerland Meets Scandinavia meeting offers Swiss producers and representatives of public financing to meet a delegation from Denmark, Norway and Sweden to foster co-production, networking and collaborations.
The VdR-Film Market is an online platform that includes a selection of 400+ new creative documentaries with international potential, while the April 11 VdR-Showcase will highlight a selection of films from the official programme via a series of 6-minute excerpts.
“This year again, VdR-Industry reflects the incredible diversity of contemporary documentary filmmaking, and its ever wider ranging influence. Instead of weakening and undermining film production, the difficulties faced by the industry and the rest of the world, seem to have strengthened the need for filmmakers to express themselves as well as the bonds within the professional community,” says Head of Industry Madeline Robert.
As importantly, from Robert’s perspective, the programme is presented in-person in 2022. “Even if we were able to do it online for two last year, it has not been optimal, we were of course longing for screening theatres, discussions and encounters, and everything that makes a festival really,” she adds. “We can’t wait to finally welcome back project holders and industry representatives to the shores of Lake Geneva.”
“We are proud and happy to welcome both established filmmakers and talented newcomers, which constitute the very core of Visions du Réel’s DNA. We are also happy to offer them a relevant stage for their projects; a place to meet new partners and create reliable connections within a welcoming environment.”
