Ji.hlava '23

The Czech docfest revealed September 22 details of its Industry programme running October 25 to 28, that includes pitches of new Czech and international projects, presentations by the EMERGING PRODUCERS 2024 cohort and a range of panel discussions. Organisers also list the nine US projects selected for third Ji.hlava New Visions Forum.

The Ji.hlava New Visions Forum: Europe & U.S. Docs Awards (ten in total) were handed out 27 October as doors closed on this year’s Industry event. Additionally, the festival announced the creation of the Ji.hlava/JB Films co-production project. Next year, up to €110,000 will be distributed to creative documentaries from the region of Central and Eastern Europe.

The new short film, directed by Dutch filmmakers Jefta Varwijk and Jaap van Heusden, focuses on paramedic Louis who recounts a series of horrific and traumatic events experienced in the line of duty over the course of 23 years. It is a film that demonstrates more graphically than most how, once seen, some things just cannot be unseen. “These are images that are etched into their retinas or etched into their souls,” Varwijk tells Business Doc Europe.

A clever balance between magical realism and formal fly-on-the-wall documentary, Ivan Ostrochovský and Pavol Pekarčík’s striking Photophobia is an examination of life within Ukraine’s Kharkiv metro, where men, women and children live a strange underground existence as they escape the bombardment of the city.

The notion of love within a relationship is intriguingly explored in Yannick Mosimann’s film Normal Love, in which a couple sign a 365-day contract at the beginning of their relationship that details the duties and rights that each must perform: ones which usually come naturally within the cohabitation of two people. Love may – or may not – come later…

This year, the Ji.hlava IDFF offers up 357 films in both competitive and non-competitive sections, of which 115 will be world premieres, 22 international premieres and 17 European premieres. "Ji.hlava is a place that brings forth striking images from around the world, connecting the community of filmmakers and viewers," says festival director Marek Hovorka. Ji.hlava IDFF runs October 24-29.

Ji.hlava Industry (Oct 25-29) is gearing up for another four days of pitching, networking and deal-making as 1300 professionals descend upon on the historic Czech town. “We want to be the melting pot for people from across the whole of Europe - north, south, east and west,” says Jarmila Outratová, Head of Industry. Not to mention the cohort of US producers who once again will present their new doc projects during the Ji.hlava’s New Visions Forum.

Czech producer/director/festival chief Veronika Janatková talked to Business Doc Europe after she was presented as one of Ji.hlava’s Emerging Producers of 2023. “I believe that through film one can perceive and consider society differently, and pay attention to those that are not in power. Film can be the fuel for action,” she underlines.

The terrifying ordeal suffered by young Czech woman Martina Putova, who was doused in acid by her ex-boyfriend, causing third-degree burns to the upper half of her body and almost complete blindness, is told with moving bluntness in Jarmila Štuková’s powerful documentary, which screened in Czech Competition.

The Czech doc fest has announced the 14 new European documentary projects that will be presented at the 3rd edition of its Forum, running October 26/27. The event is dedicated to “the new generation of European producers, new formats, innovative trends, and visions for the future.” The festival has also unveiled this year’s pre-screening trailer, made by the legendary Catalan Albert Serra.