CPH:DOX, EAVE and IMS announced October 8 the fifth round of the CHANGE programme, that seeks to “empower” documentary film projects from the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. For the 2025/2026 edition, eight teams will join the co-production training workshop series.
CHANGE is a collaboration between leading docfest CPH:DOX; EAVE, one of Europe’s leading training, development, and networking organisation for producers, and IMS (International Media Support), a non-profit organisation working to promote journalism and documentary film to reduce conflict, strengthen democracy and facilitate dialogue.
“The CHANGE programme seeks to increase equality and access in the international film market by fostering inter-regional co-productions,” organisers write. “It connects filmmakers, producers, and projects from the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries with global film professionals at CPH:DOX, creating opportunities for collaboration and elevating diverse voices on the international stage.”
“The programme aims to improve the participants’ skills in refining their projects’ content, core themes and goals,” organisers add. “It also focuses on strengthening their abilities in regional and international collaboration and co-production, and navigating the financing structures and the production environment. By the end of the programme, participants are ready to encounter the international market and present their projects on a global platform during CPH:DOX 2026.”
The selected projects in the fifth round explore “compelling new stories” from the region, ranging from large-scale political narratives to intimate and personal stories.
“The projects offer nuanced perspectives and diverse artistic approaches, showcasing the talent of this new cohort of filmmakers who are confronting some of the most pressing challenges of our time with creativity and courage. “
The CHANGE – Co-production training course will open in Chisinau, Moldova in November 2025 and will combine masterclasses and group work sessions, as well as individual meetings for the eight selected producer-director teams. The same participants will continue to work together in the second workshop in January 2026, again in Chisinau, Moldova. The programme will culminate in Copenhagen, Denmark in March 2026 with a third workshop hosted by the National Film School of Denmark and the presentation of the projects to the international industry during CPH:DOX.
The selected projects are:
- 3 Daughters Prod. & dir. Ana Gherciu, Moldova
- 10 Things I Hate about My Cousin Prod. Ana Kvichidze, dir. Nino Lekishvili, Georgia
- Is There Sex after the USSR? Prod. Sona Margaryan, dir. Lilit Movsisyan, Armenia
- Life on Mars Prod. Karina Simonyan, dir. Mery Aghakhanyan, Armenia
- My Home Prod. Nijat Dadashov, dir. Ulviyya Ahmadova, Azerbaijan
- My School is Seized Prod. Oleksandr Ivanov, dir. Halyna Lavrinets, Ukraine
- Total Mess Prod. Kateryna Yahodka, dir. Oleksandra Horiienko, Ukraine
- Sounds of Revolution Prod. & dir. Nikoloz Bezhanishvili, Georgia
CHANGE is initiated and funded by IMS (International Media Support) through the New Democracy Fund.
