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The Original documentary Val, described as “a complete picture of actor and artist Val Kilmer with never-before-seen footage spanning 40 years,” is directed by Leo Scott and Ting Poo and marks the first feature in a slate of docs and doc-series produced by A24, the Academy Award-winning company company behind Minari, Lady Bird and Moonlight.

Netflix revealed May 27 the ten aspiring filmmaking teams from across the UK that it will fund as part of its inaugural Documentary Talent Fund. The ten filmmakers will receive up to £40,000 in financing to create their own documentary short film between 8-12 minutes long, answering the brief: “Britain’s Not Boring And Here’s a Story.”

French theatrical distributor Urban Distribution has acquired the rights for the feature Swiss doc Kombinat, which premiered at Visions du Reel 2020 and since shown in numerous festivals, winning Jury Prizes at the 2021 Green Image Japan Film Festival and the Provinziale Festival in Germany. World sales are handled by Filmotor.

Taking place during 25th Ji.hlava IDFF (October 26-31), the 18th East Silver Market will again support producers and distributors from Central and East Europe. Approx 300 films from more than 29 countries to be selected. Upcoming submission deadlines: May 31 (final cuts), July 31 (rough cuts).

An open letter signed by 41 European documentary bodies calls for the reversal of new Creative Europe measures they claim will severely penalise the doc sector. “While the MEDIA budget is increasing… the European Commission is quietly digging the grave of the creative documentary,’ the letter states.

The public prize, valued at €2000, was handed May 22 to Cille Hannibal and Christine Hanberg’s for their documentary about Christine’s sibling Peter, who can neither see nor hear. The film was described as a “moving portrait of a courageous family in the struggle for a dignified life: absolutely unforgettable.”

May 21 sees an IDF online Sessions discussion between Tatsiana Hatsura-Yavorska (WATCH DOCS Belarus) and Courage director Aliaksei Paluyan about the struggle for creative freedom and freedom of speech, while on May 26 IDF hosts a Sessions discussion on Festivals as Distribution Platforms with Inka Achté (Raina Film Fest Dist) and Philippa Kowarsky (Cinephil).

A total of 41 documentaries are selected for the live/online IFFR 2021, whose final part runs 2-6 June. Eight world, 4 international, 3 European and 20 Dutch premieres within Harbour, Bright Future and Cinema Regained strands. “We’re raring to go and look forward to celebrating our 50th anniversary with audiences at home and in cinemas in Rotterdam,” says fest chief Vanja Kaludjercic.

“Filmmakers needed our support in the best of times. Now, as they face endless challenges, the decision by the Council of Minister for Culture will have a dramatic impact on the industry's most important gathering in our region,” says Nordisk Panorama Executive Director Anita Reher. The Council’s contribution (€215,000) currently amounts to 60% of the event’s operating budget.

The documentary, directed by Mateusz Kudła and Anna Kokoszka-Romer and selected for Polish Competition, will premiere internationally May 30 with the film’s subjects Roman Polański and Ryszard Horowitz in attendance.