News

On the eve of the 2024 European Film Market (EFM), Business Doc Europe caught up with Georg Gruber and Frauke Knappke of Berlin-based outfit Magnetfilm. During our conversation, we touched on Magnetfilm’s editorial policy, the current climate for doc sales and, of course, the company’s solid non-fiction slate, spearheaded by the Panorama-bound doc Teaches of Peaches.

The International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (Geneva) presented February 15 the programme for its 22nd edition, which takes place March 8 to 17, 2024. Among the “influential voices of human rights” in attendance will be American activist Angela Davis, Indian economist Jayati Ghosh, and Russian journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitri Mouratov.

Al Jazeera Balkans Documentary Film Festival has put out the call for filmmakers and production companies to participate in the seventh edition of the Festival, which will take place in Sarajevo September 13-17 2024. AJB DOC Film Festival is organized by the TV broadcaster Al Jazeera Balkans in cooperation with Al Jazeera Media Network, Al Jazeera Documentary Channel and Al Jazeera Media Institute in Doha. The submission deadline is May 27 2024.

The Copenhagen docfest revealed Feb 15 the films nominated across all six award categories. The selection features 66 films in competition, of which 47 are world premieres, 17 international premieres and 2 European premieres. For the second year row, all films in the main competition celebrate their world premieres in Copenhagen. CPH:DOX runs March 13-24.

Ahead of of this year’s European Film Market (EFM), Business Doc Europe spoke to Kathryn Bonnici, Head of Acquisitions and Development of Java Films. Founded in 2005 by the late Roch Bozino, the Paris-based sales agency rapidly established itself as one of Europe’s leading independent distributors, handling both pre-sales and distribution for documentaries. The firm sets sail to Berlin with a rich slate of completed films and projects in the works.

CPH:CONFERENCE, curated in partnership with the Documentary Campus, unveiled Feb 14 its line-up for 2024. Back within a “refreshed format,” this year’s edition will gather industry leaders and visionaries “to share their experiences, insights, and strategies for fostering inclusivity and collaboration in the documentary landscape, and to rediscover unconventional approaches that defy the norms of non-fiction.” The theme of the conference is ‘Re-building Narratives’ and guest filmmakers include Alex Gibney, Johan Grimonprez and Laura Huertas Millán.

The programme is supported by the European Union's Creative Europe - Media Programme and the participating European national film promotion institutes (EFP's member organisations), and is open again to 20 producers from 20 different European countries. Once again the programme will be hybrid, consisting of a 3-day online pre-festival (30 April - 2 May) and on-site networking events during the Cannes Film Festival (18 - 22 May).

Visions du Réel announced Feb 13 that American filmmaker John Wilson will be Special Guest for the festival’s 55th edition running 12-21 April. Wilson is largely recognised for his 2022 Primetime Emmy Award-nominated documentary series 'How To with John Wilson'. To accompany a selection of episodes from his series and earlier works, Wilson will take part in a public discussion, as well as curate a carte blanche.

Christensen has over two decades of experience in the documentary industry, working for the last 10 years for Copenhagen based production company Final Cut for Real. “I am deeply honoured to return to my roots and contribute to a community I hold dear. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential to uphold Nordisk Panorama's esteemed legacy, ensuring its relevance while fostering innovation and adapting to the ever-changing landscape,” she says.

The Copenhagen docfest also unveiled the first batch of confirmed decision makers and the new awards at CPH:INDUSTRY. The event will take place in Copenhagen from Monday to Thursday, March 18-21, 2024, with CPH:WIP and CHANGE presentations taking place on Monday March 18. The CPH:DOX festival runs March 13-24.