Ji.hlava IFF Head of Industry Jarmila Outratová may be gearing up for another madcap 4-day round of pitching, networking and deal-making, but this year seems somewhat more poignant, a little more special, as the festival celebrates its 30th edition.
“The 30th anniversary encouraged us to reflect not only on what Ji.hlava has achieved, but also on our responsibilities towards the future of documentary filmmaking,” she tells Business Doc Europe. “At a time when artistic freedom, cultural institutions and public funding are increasingly under pressure, I believe festivals have a responsibility to support independent filmmaking and the communities around it.”
This is a mind-set which has very much shaped her programme in 2026. “Through Festival Identity, we address the challenges facing film festivals, while our new initiative For Future Audiences focuses on building relationships with younger generations. We have also prioritised more carefully curated projects and meaningful matchmaking rather than simply expanding the programme,” she says.
“For me, the anniversary is not only a celebration, but also a commitment to helping create an environment where independent documentary filmmaking can continue to thrive.”
At the heart of Ji.hlava Industry (click here to see the full programme https://www.ji-hlava.com/industry-program ) is a desire to help forge the alliances that will create great new docs of the future. Outratová and her team seek to unite the talent, whether creative or business, both with the money, in terms of potential co-pro partners, financiers and funders, and with the know-how, courtesy of the plethora of top-notch experts attending the festival.
Ji.hlava Industry is a programme with its sights squarely trained on the independent doc circuit, both in the CEE and far beyond. “I believe what makes Ji.hlava Industry unique is the combination of a strong regional identity with a genuinely international perspective. We are not simply a market for documentary films, but a platform for building long-term relationships, sharing knowledge and discussing the future of documentary filmmaking,” says the Industry boss.
“Through Ji.hlava New Visions, Emerging Producers and our Matchmaking Accelerator, we connect filmmakers and producers with international decision-makers. We pay particular attention to countries with smaller audiovisual industries and more limited access to international networks,” she adds. “For us, generating international interest is not just about presenting projects. It is about creating an environment where meaningful professional relationships can develop and continue beyond the festival.”
As one of the leading professional co-pro events, Ji.hlava Industry seeks out the projects that its parent festival would be looking to programme in the future. “Ji.hlava Industry is an integral part of the festival, and both share the same artistic philosophy. We support original, creative and sometimes unconventional approaches to documentary filmmaking,” says Outratová. “When selecting projects for Ji.hlava New Visions, we look beyond their commercial potential, focusing on strong artistic visions and distinctive storytelling.”
This symbiotic relationship is reflected in activities such as Czech Joy in the Spotlight, which introduces films from the national competition to international professionals. “This year, several documentaries previously presented as works in progress at Ji.hlava New Visions will also premiere at the festival, highlighting the close connection between our Industry platform and the festival programme,” the Industry topper continues.
“We encourage Industry guests to experience the festival programme, because inspiration and valuable connections often emerge just as naturally from screenings and informal conversations as from scheduled meetings,” she adds.
Also on the Industry agenda is the annual Conference on Ethics in Documentary Filmmaking, an open and inclusive space where scholars, practitioners and creatives from diverse disciplines, as well as the wider public, come together to exchange ideas and perspectives. At its core lies a desire to kindle meaningful dialogue around the ethical questions that shape documentary practice.
“I believe ethics deserves as much attention as financing or distribution, because it shapes not only how documentary films are made, but also the relationships between filmmakers, their protagonists and audiences,” Outratová underlines to BDE.
“What makes [the event] special is that it is an academic conference held not at a university, but within an international documentary film festival with a strong and diverse industry programme,” she stresses of the inherent sense of business imperative. “It brings together filmmakers, producers, researchers, students, film critics and audiences, creating a space where different perspectives can meet and challenge each other. We also want to give a voice to professions that are often overlooked in these discussions.”
“I believe this is precisely what ethics is about. It is not simply a set of rules written on paper, but an ongoing dialogue about power, responsibility and the consequences of our decisions. This year’s fifth edition, Whose Story Is It?, returns to the question of who has the right to tell someone else’s story, who has the final say and what happens when a film takes on a life of its own.”
“Our ambition is not to provide definitive answers, but to create a dialogue that can transform not only how documentary films are made, but also how stories are told,” Outratová asserts.
The business of preparation and delivery of a market programme can be as exhausting as it is satisfying. What would constitute an ideal takeaway for Outratová, and when does she start to look forward to the 31st edition of the festival?
“My ideal outcome is that people leave Ji.hlava with new professional opportunities, meaningful connections and fresh inspiration,” she tells BDE. “Of course, I hope projects find partners and financing, but I also hope participants feel part of an international documentary community. Some of the most valuable collaborations begin with a simple conversation and only develop years later.”
“I would also love to see discussions from Festival Identity, For Future Audiences and our ethics conference continue beyond the festival and lead to concrete initiatives,” she adds.
“And as for Ji.hlava 2027, we have already started! But first, I hope we will find a moment to celebrate our 30th anniversary together with the community that makes Ji.hlava possible,” Outratová signs off.
