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Polish Mariusz Biernacki’s feature doc debut The Herd takes on the thorny issue of what it means to be a man in the 21st Century. “Unlike women, who have had clear directions for change through feminist movements and numerous support networks, men today frequently lack guidance,’ the director tells BDE. “Many feel lost, and this has contributed to the rise of phenomena such as incel communities and broader issues of male isolation and frustration.”

Maestra tells the story of the legendary Lidia Grychtołówna who, at the age of 96, remains the world’s oldest active concert pianist. But now she is preparing for her final concert. “What begins as the story of a quiet, nearly forgotten woman becomes a powerful portrait of a radiant artist reclaiming her place in the spotlight,” says producer Iwona Harris. “Her transformation into the vibrant, commanding maestra is the emotional core of the film.”

Although the events of Hide Me in the Light are set in Ukraine, the film does not focus directly on the war. Rather, it is a character-driven documentary centered around the story of childhood friendship. Nevertheless, the theme of loss is very much in evidence. “Told from the children’s perspective, the story is emotional and deeply moving,” producer Kateryna Ptashka tells BDE. “Viewers can connect with these children because they will recognise something of their own childhood in them."

The “first and only” nationwide digital forum (now live) is dedicated to the UK’s documentary community, marking “a major milestone in its mission to create a more connected, empowered, and collaborative sector,” the organisation writes. “The Forum offers a rare alternative: a non-corporate, non-extractive online space owned and shaped by its members.”

The Beldocs Pitching Forum handed out its awards on 24 May 2025 during a ceremony presented by Head of Industry, Andrijana Sofranić Šućur. The forum was held 22-25 May as part of the 18th edition of Beldocs – Belgrade Int’l Doc Film Festival. The Film Center of Montenegro Award for Best Project in Development to the Armenian project My Name is Enough. The Best Project in Progress Award by Al Jazeera Balkans was presented to Sentence from Birth (Moldova). All awards…

During a highly moving interview on Doc Day of Cannes Docs, Sepideh Farsi discussed her documentary, selected for Cannes ACID. The film consists of cell phone conversations with the smiling Fatma Hassona (Fatem), a young photographer who is documenting the war in Northern Gaza. As has been widely reported, Fatem was killed the day after the announcement of the Cannes selection by a targeted missile on her home. “It's strange that we never met physically,” said an emotional Sepideh. “She would be here, and we know why she's not.”

Ahead of the second edition of Dokumentale (Berlin, 12-22 June), Artistic Director Anna Ramskogler-Witt will host a debate titled ‘Truth Under Fire: Documentary Filmmaking Between Risk, Ethics, and Innovation’ at the Berlin-based re.publica 25 audiovisual festival. The three panellists attending on May 27 are directors Franz Böhm, Havana Marking and Friedrich Moser. Ramskogler-Witt previews the event with Business Doc Europe.

Ana Alice de Morais, Artistic Co-Director at RIDM, the Montreal International Documentary Festival, and Marc Gauthier, Executive Director, reflected to BDE on their 2025 Cannes Docs experience. “This was our sixth Docs In Progress [in Cannes] in seven years,” Gauthier said of what is now becoming almost an annual event. “Cannes Docs has really managed to create a home for creative documentary…it’s a special thing in this global madness.”

Déni Oumar Pitsaev’s feature doc Imago was awarded May 21 the French Touch prize of the Critics Week jury. In the film, when director Déni inherits a small patch of land in the wild, beautiful valley of Pankissi, he sees a chance to finally build the house in the trees that he's dreamed of since he was a boy. But nothing in the rugged Caucasus is ever simple…

The Palestine Film Institute (PFI) announced this week the launch of the Palestine Film Fund (PFF), a funding initiative dedicated to “supporting Palestinian filmmakers across the globe in creating authentic narratives and reclaiming control over their own images and stories.” Grants ranging from €5,000 to €15,000 will be awarded to short or feature films at various stages of development and production regardless of their place of residence or nationality working in challenging circumstances globally.