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Serbia-based sales company Films Mundi has acquired exclusive international sales rights (excluding Poland) to Kamila Serwicka’s feature documentary Blossoming (A teraz wiosna). The acquisition follows the film’s world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival’s Semaine de la Critique, where it won the Grand Prix Semaine de la Critique – Prix SRG SSR. “It was the film’s poetic, atmospheric quality, emotional honesty and tenderness that drew me so strongly to it," Neda Lukić, Founder of Films Mundi, tells BDE.

Running March to October 2026, the main objective of the EURODOC flagship programme is to enhance the artistic and financial development of film projects, to improve know-how in terms of international co-production and company management, and to reinforce the set of continuously evolving skills a career in independent production requires. “We believe that project development and career-building go hand in hand,” the organisation writes. Deadline for application: November 23 2026.

The Nyon-based docfest is inviting films for its Official Selection, which includes six competition sections, as well as projects for VdR–Industry activities. Films in competition receive their world, international or European premiere. The early deadline is November 2. The final deadline is December 15. The 58th edition of Visions du Réel will run 9 to 18 April 2027.

Nordisk Panorama and ARTE, Europe’s leading cultural streaming service, are launching a new partnership to strengthen opportunities for emerging documentary projects and build closer connections between Nordic filmmakers and the European industry. At the heart of the partnership is the new ARTE European Talent Development Award, worth €10,000 and given to one of the 24 documentary projects pitched at Nordisk Panorama Forum.

During the Fipadoc International Pitch session (Biarritz) the 24 selected project teams will pitch to 60+ international funders from Europe and beyond. Decision makers from France TV, ARTE, RTBF, RTS, SVT, Al Jazeera, ZDF, HBO and many other broadcasters will be present together with distributors, sales agents, festival programmers and film funds. Application deadline: October 2 2026. Fipadoc Industry Days will run January 25-28, 2027.

The deadline for submissions of projects to MIA’s Italians Doc It Better showcase is September 6. Italians Doc It Better looks to facilitate the circulation of new Italian documentaries by providing producers with a platform to present their projects and secure international distribution. Eligible titles must be 100% Italian productions or co-productions in which Italy holds a majority share.

Diana Sanchez has been elevated to President of Hot Docs, with immediate effect. Restructuring the executive leadership team “to better accomplish the organization’s long-term strategic goals and growth,” Sanchez has appointed Mara Gourd-Mercado (currently at CPH:DOX) to the position of Executive Director. Gourd-Mercado begins her new role on October 19, 2026, and will report to Sanchez.

Cinéma du réel competition comprises up to 30 international and French documentary films of any length, many of which will be looking to kickstart their career at the Paris-based festival. “Such a carefully curated selection of international and French documentary films within the production of an entire year commits us, and we thank all the professionals who entrust us with their films and trust us to defend them,” says Catherine Bizern, Artistic Director. The 49th edition of Cinéma du reel will run March 19-27 2027.

Organisers of the 69th DOK Leipzig (26 Oct to Nov 1) have announced first details of this year’s programme, which include the new ‘Positions’ section which is designed to create more space for exchange and debate. “The selection of films is intended as a starting point and catalyst for dialogue and exchange – listening to one another, having conversations, accommodating differing views and contradictions, and questioning our own convictions,” the festival writes.

Press accreditation for the 12th edition of MIA | Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo - one of the leading global audiovisual markets, bringing together the international film, drama, documentary, animation, and entertainment industries on a single international platform for business and networking - is now open. MIA will take place from Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 23, 2026, in Rome and on the MIA Digital platform.