Nick Cunningham

The Sitges-based Euro-Mediterranean Documentary Market is seeking new doc projects-in-development and finished films. “We are looking for European producers and filmmakers that can provide independently produced documentaries, projects engaging in creative risks, advancing issues and presenting points of views not typically seen on television,” organisers write. The 25th MEDIMED runs 17-20 October 2024.

Spanning 15 programme and presenter categories, the list reflects “the best documentary singles and series launched across broadcasters, streamers and online, as well as theatrical releases.” Nominations will be announced September 23. The Awards Ceremony will take place Wednesday 6 November at London’s Roundhouse.

The film won Best Feature Doc at the 13th CMS Lucknow International Children’s Film Festival and Best Feature Football Film at the 40th Sport Movies & TV – Milano International FICTS. Director Jamillah van der Hulst has also just completed the feature doc Where the Kids Have No Name, about homeless kids on the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Béjot has been Director of Strategy and Development at Doc Services, a position he has held since January 2020. The market also announced it will set up an Advisory Committee whose members will “bring [their] expertise and networks to fuel ongoing reflections on the market's evolution and enable Sunny Side of the Doc to develop sustainably, always meeting the challenges and needs of the documentary community.”

The leading Greek docfest is inviting submissions for its next edition, running 6-16 March 2025. TiDF is an Oscars® documentary feature qualifying festival with four competition sections: Feature Length International Competition, Newcomers International Competition – Dimitri Eipides, >>Film Forward International Competition and Immersive: All Around Cinema International Competition.

The nominations recognize “remarkable programmes, extraordinary performances and impactful storytelling across multiple platforms.” The 76th Emmy Awards will take place September 15 from 20.00 at LA’s Peacock theatre. “Television delivers stories that connect us, uplift us, challenge us, and always entertain us. Today, I am honoured to celebrate the outstanding work of our extraordinarily talented and hardworking creative community,” commented Television Academy Chair Chris Aberg.

Arrate Fernandez will continue as IDFA’s Deputy Artistic Director, overseeing strategic Filmmaker Support activities. Additionally, she will dedicate part of her time to other endeavours outside the organization. “Isabel’s vision, dedication, and personal approach have positioned IBF as an organically decolonial beacon within the documentary filmmaking community,” comments IDFA Artistic Director Orwa Nyrabia. The search is on to find a new Executive Director to start in January 2025.

The European Film Academy has voiced again its demand for the release of filmmaker/activist Andrei Gnyot, who is currently imprisoned in Serbia and in immediate danger of being extradited to Belarus. “It is our firm belief that the charges against him are fabricated and politically motivated, and were introduced by the Belarusian authorities in retaliation for his activist activities,” says EFA Chair Mike Downey.

The prolific Northern Irish docmaker profiles Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, a woman whose brain underwent profound recalibration after she climbed the Grindelwald Glacier in Switzerland in 1949. There she encountered the mathematical "certainty” which would inspire and inform her later paintings. “When I first saw her pictures in the late 80s, I was drawn to them, as if by a tractor beam,” director Cousins tells BDE.

The lab is open to LGBTQIA+ directors who are currently developing a queer documentary project. The 10 selected directors will have the opportunity to explore and play with the format of documentary through curated masterclasses and workshops with international and UK filmmakers, artists and other industry experts. Submission deadline: 16.00 BST, 9 August.