News

Organized by the Institute of Documentary Film in cooperation with One World Film Festival, the East Doc Platform is the largest co-production, funding and distribution platform tailor-made for Central and Eastern European documentaries, and will take place at the French Institute in Prague, March 24-30.

There have been previous documentaries about the Colombia Marxist–Leninist guerrilla group FARC-EP (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People's Army), but director Joris Lachaise’s film takes an alternative view as it delves into the links between trans activists as they stand with disarmed FARC fighters at demos in Bogotá’s red-light district and in FARC camps in the mountains.

The CEDOC Market, held during KFF Industry at the Krakow Film Festival, is now accepting submissions. Documentary producers from all around the world may apply. Every year the event selects around 25 projects. The event will take place in early June and the deadlines for submissions range from 17-31 March. The 63rd Krakow FF will be held in cinemas 28 May to 4 June, and online throughout Poland 2–18 June 2023.

As the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches, CPH:DOX has announced a wide programme to honour the Ukrainian fight for freedom and democracy in Europe, including a Special Eurimages Co-production Development Award at CPH:FORUM 2023 of €20,000 for a Ukrainian project, and strong emphases within CPH:CONFERENCE and the Programme Focus.

The brand-new, four-part high-end documentary series Juan Carlos was presented February 20 as part of the EFM’s Up Next: Germany, a showcase of the country’s most interesting upcoming series projects. Produced by Emmy-nominated producer Christian Beetz (Gebrüder Beetz Filmproduktion, controlled by Munich-based conglomerate Leonine Studios), the series promises to explore the rise and fall of former Spanish King Juan Carlos I.

Is the Klezmer Project a failed movie? Because, in essence, it doesn’t feature a lot of klezmer (Yiddish folk) bands. And it is definitely not a straightforward documentary on music or musicians. What it is, nevertheless, is a smart, funny, personal and at the same time universal document of an almost erased culture, an honest, analytical self-reflection on identity and traditions…and a tragic love story.

In an absorbing, challenging and beautifully shot film, a passionate tight-knit group of young Syrian women embark upon on a radical and perhaps controversial project, producing a play that details and exposes the culture of misogyny and sexual abuse that has been part of the everyday lives of women in their country for generations.

This was the core question and title of an EFM panel held at the Event Hall of Berlin’s Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation on February 18. The talk, hosted by the Documentary Association of Europe (DAE) and moderated by Brigid O’Shea, saw the participation of IDFA artistic director Orwa Nyrabia and IDA’s Director of Artist Programmes Abbey Sun.

Combining diaristic film footage of society/nature with 3D scanner images, Czech filmmaker Viera Čákanyová playfully and provocatively explores the potential of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence to deal with complex global problems. Notes from Eremocene (Poznámky z Eremocénu) world-premieres in Berlinale Forum.

With 200 new films, 100+ world premieres. 61 titles across five international competitions, “CPH:DOX is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a powerful film programme full of artistic quality and contemporary relevance,” write organisers. An impressive roster of international guests includes Joan Baez, Oliver Stone, Nathan Fielder, Wim Wenders, Susan Matthews, José Gonzales and Jeremy Deller among many others.