Nick Cunningham

Is there still room for experimental in the field of non-fiction? You bet there is, academic, programmer and filmmaker Andrea Slovakova tells Business Doc Europe on the eve of a truly experimental Ji.hlava 2020.

When we speak about war, we seldom think about the women left behind on the battlefield. Cláudia Alves seeks to address this in her new project, pitched at Nebulae Arché section of DocLisboa 2020.

The Dutch doc feature project Here Be Dragons (Terra Incógnita), about an alien landscape in southern Spain where astrobiologists ‘dig the soil to fuel the technological revolution and to search for life in the Universe’, was pitched as part of the Nebulae RAW programme of DocLisboa 2020.

“He’s a guy who is dirty on his skin but is very pure in his heart,” says director Jindřich Andrš of his lead character, former miner Tomas. “I didn't say this when raising money for the film. Maybe if I had, I would have raised more...”

CEO Esther van Messel announces partner, BSX Graz, Austria, for launch of the First Hand Fund. Deputy Director Gitte Hansen leaves First Hand Films after 18 years+.

Polish documentaries and filmmakers are all set to make a splash at Ji.hlava IDFF and Dok Leipzig in late October with series of selections and new projects to pitch to the online doc community.

Ahead of its October 27 kick-off, Ji.hlava IDFF director Marek Hovorka talks to Business Doc Europe about the decision to go online in 2020, the need to showcase African documentary and the ongoing essential role played by experimental film, as underlined within the festival programme.

In the latest round of funding five documentaries, comprising animation, shorts and minority co-pro, benefit from Finnish Film Foundation support.

Ahead of the 63rd edition of his festival, Dok Leipzig artistic director Christoph Terhechte talks to Business Doc Europe about a streamlined programme in 2020, and how we should prepare for an equally streamlined doc industry looking forward.

The Czech fest’s programme will offer over 270 films, Q&As, Inspiration Forum discussions and a programme for children. The festival also features tributes to Roberto Minervini and Karel Vachek and the audience will be granted a preview of a new documentary about Milan Kundera.