Nick Cunningham

The international human rights film festival will open with the Ukraine-set documentary Photophobia by Ivan Ostrochovský and Pavol Pekarčík. Running from 22 to 30 March, Movies that Matter will present over 80 films in the Dutch city of The Hague, recognised as an international city of peace and justice, and in cities across the Netherlands. This year Turkey will be the country in focus.

The Pamplona-based docfest runs 11 to 16 March. 80 films to be shown across 65 programmed sessions, including Q&As with filmmakers, workshops, musical activities and family film sessions. “For six days, film-lovers from the city and surrounding area will rub shoulders with documentary filmmakers and professionals, alongside film students from all over Spain,” write organisers.

The 28th Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries (Baltic Sea Docs), which describes itself as “the most important documentary co-financing pitching event in the Baltic countries,” will take place 1-8 September 2024 (Industry dates: 1-6 September) in Riga, Latvia. The call for projects across all sections is now open and will close May 10. The selection results will be announced by 7 June.

Sold by France-based agency Stranger Film Sales, the Balkans-based story of profound gender transformation represents a “powerful depiction of patriarchal dominance,” say filmmakers Kristine Nrecaj and Birthe Templin. The film, which was pitched as a work-in-progress during DOK Leipzig, world premieres March 8 - International Women’s Day - in Thessaloniki’s Open Horizon’s section.

The Geneva-based International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) kicks off March 8, heralding a 10-day focus on human rights and the role cinema can/must play in upholding them. “The strength of an event such as FIFDH lies in its ability to unite those who aid us in deciphering the intricacies of the world, reflect on collective solutions and remind us of the need to take action,” underlines co-director Laura Longobardi.

The 26th edition of the Greek doc fest commences March 7 with They Shot the Piano Player co-directed by Fernando Trueba, who will also be presented with the Festival’s honorary Golden Alexander. A total of 250 documentaries will be screened through to March 17, of which 112 are world, international or European premieres. “What we mostly look for is that spark that lights up when you’re watching a film that hooks you and won’t let you go till the end credits,” Yorgos Krassakopoulos tells BDE of his modus operandi.

The traditional presentation of highlights from the previous year’s Ji.hlava IDFF selection will commence March 5 with a screening (plus Q&A) of The World According to My Dad by Marta Kovářová in the European Parliament in Brussels. More screenings and Q&As are planned through to March 7 both in Brussels and Ghent. Further Echoes of 27th Ji.hlava IDFF presentations are planned over the following months for Romania, New York, Poland, Serbia and Slovakia.

DocSoc announces professional development opps for the 6-month producer programme RISE, and for the Producing Truths programme aimed at mid-career producers outside of London. The organisation also invites applications from disabled UK docmakers, producers and editors to participate in a virtual delegation to IDA’s Getting Real 24 conference (15 - 18 April). Additionally, details of TikTok MicroDoc Challenge announced, plus Made of Truth BFI Doc Society Short Film Fund now open.

Al Jazeera Documentary (AJD) Industry Days has announced the call for projects for its third edition that will take place from 14-16 September 2024. Entries are open from March 4 to the deadline day of May 31. AJD Industry Days runs in parallel with the Al Jazeera Balkans Documentary Film Festival (AJB DOC) which is organized for 13 to 17 September 2024 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The ‘Balkan Watchers – Media Program for Documentary Films and Podcasts’ aims to amplify the voices engaged in investigative and independent journalism through documentaries and podcasts as alternative forms of critical reporting. Aimed at journalists and filmmaker activists, 10 film and 10 podcast projects will be selected, with 3 of each to receive financial support (€25,000 per film, €5000 per podcast). Submission deadline extended to March 8.