Nick Cunningham

To the West, in Zapata, directed by David Bim, was announced May 19 as winner of the inaugural Marcel Łoziński International Documentary Award, established jointly by the Kraków Film Festival and the Polish Documentary Film Directors Guild. “It is a remarkable documentary – one that unites beautiful, painterly imagery and precise dramatic construction with genuine emotional force,” the jury observes. “With remarkably restrained means, and never transgressing the boundaries of his protagonists’ intimacy, the young director speaks about the matters that give meaning to our lives – love, family and work.”

MIA (Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo) unveiled May 17 details of its 2026 edition running October 19 to 23 in Rome. “MIA is embarking on a transformation that will take it from a market built on highly distinctive vertical content segments to an integrated industry platform, capable of accompanying the entire audiovisual value chain in a circular way,” said Director Gaia Tridente.

Screening in Short Film Competition, For the Opponents follows Damián, a young boy Iiving in the tough neighbourhood of Tepito, who is chasing the great Mexican dream - to become a boxing champion. “His gaze moved me deeply. I couldn’t take my eyes off him from the moment he began warming up outside the ring, during the fight, or after it ended,” director Federico Luis explains the immediate fascination he felt when he first encountered his subject.

CIRCLE, the training initiative dedicated to women and gender-expansive filmmakers, announced May 18 at Cannes Docs the launch of CIRCLE Expanded Orbit: a new international programme focused on immersive storytelling and XR-based practices. The programme is co-organised with Onassis ONX, the Onassis Foundation’s global platform for art and advanced technologies. Emmy and Peabody Award-winning documentarian Katerina Cizek appointed as Head of Studies.

Belgrade-based Neda Lukić, recently of Taskovski Films, announced May 18 the launch of Films Mundi, a new boutique world sales and distribution company focused on carefully curated creative documentaries. “I wanted to create a space for projects that resonate with me personally — where, beyond experience and strategy, I can also invest genuine care and heart,” Lukić told Business Doc Europe.

Before the May 17 Ji.hlava IDFF/J-Docs Hub reception at Cannes Marché, Yamagata IDFF’s Asako Fujioka sat down with BDE to discuss the new J-DocsHub initiative, whose goal is to create “a structured pathway for Japanese documentary makers to engage with the global market, develop internationally competitive projects, and build long-term partnerships with overseas producers, broadcasters, and distributors.” The Yamagata docfest is partnering with Cannes Docs this year, in line with Marché du Film’s choice of Japan as Country of Honour.

Amazomania, Nathan Grossman’s indictment of the colonial legacy, won the Best Film Award while The Travelers by David Bingong took home the award for Best Catalan Film at the 29th edition of the festival. The Audience Award – Moritz went to Corren las liebres by Lorena Ros, while the Jury Prize – Antaviana was won by Manuel Correa for Atlas de la desaparición. The festival closed with a record-breaking 12.300 attendees, 28 sold-out screenings, and 70% occupancy of theaters. All awards…

Chilean doccers are out in force at Cannes Docs 2026, where they will, for the first time, partner with Colombian counterparts during the May 18 Docs-in-Progress Chile & Colombia Showcase. Meanwhile, at the Marché, a diverse slate of Chilean doc product — including animated series, feature films, and emerging auteur voices — looks set to entice international buyers and investors. “Our documentary films generate high expectations in international markets,” says Paula Ossandón, Director of Chiledoc. “Proof of this are the sold-out presentations we have held at the Marché du Film and the awards received for five consecutive years at Cannes Docs.”

For the 7th year, CIRCLE Doc Accelerator has selected four alumni who will present their works-in-progress May 18 during Cannes Docs. The training programme for women and gender-expansive filmmakers has been a consistent source of films that go on to make their mark on the international festival circuit. “Each work in progress reflects the richness and diversity of our community — distinct voices, bold perspectives, and nuanced storytelling,” says CIRCLE programme director Biljana Tutorov who, together with Petar Glomazić, this year won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary for To Hold a Mountain.

The Vienna-based outfit has picked up the debut film for world sales following its world premiere at Hot Docs & European premiere at Visions Du Réel 2026. The film follows Eka, one of the last remaining 'bissu', the spiritual leaders of the Bugis, one of the largest ethnic groups in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. A bissu is a recognised as a separate gender that is believed to embody both masculine and feminine souls, and which once held a special place in society and religious beliefs.