Representatives of Doc Alliance, the network uniting major documentary film festivals in Europe, will take part in three industry panels at this year’s Sarajevo Film Festival, presenting results from the network’s ongoing research project. For several years, the network has been collecting information about all member festivals, “focusing on the key areas of new technologies, inclusive programming, sustainability, emerging talents and educational practices.”
Three chapters of this research will be presented during three panels on 18 August.
Gabriela Šitek, Director of Education / Programming at Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival, will address the topic of education at the talk ‘Year-Round Audience Engagement: From First Screen Encounters to Lifelong Loyalty.’ Marek Hovorka, Festival Director of Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival, will focus on sustainability during the panel Greener Festivals in a High-Footprint Business: What We Can (and Can’t) Control,’ and Helder Beja, Festival Director of Doclisboa, will present on inclusive programming during the “Decoding the Documentary Industry: What Are Decision Makers Looking For?” panel.
The panels are part of the CineLink Industry Days programme and are open to all accredited industry guests. They are co-presented by the Network of Festivals in the Adriatic Region and Doc Alliance.
The Doc Alliance network of documentary film festivals supports emerging talents in European documentary film. It brings together the seven festivals CPH:DOX, Doclisboa, DOK Leipzig, FIDMarseille, Ji.hlava IDFF, Millennium Docs Against Gravity and Visions du Réel as well as this year’s guest festival Punto de Vista.
OVERVIEW OF THE PANELS:
- Year-Round Audience Engagement: From First Screen Encounters to Lifelong Loyalty: 18 August 2025 | 10:00–11:00. From film-literacy workshops to cross-festival streaming, this panel explores how festivals can connect with audiences year-round, with limited resources and high expectations from funders. Speakers: Gabriela Šitek (Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival, PL), Veton Nurkollari (DokuFest, XK). Moderator: Asja Krsmanović (Sarajevo Film Festival, BA)
- Greener Festivals in a High-Footprint Business: What We Can (and Can’t) Control: 18 August 2025 | 11:15–12:15. A discussion on the tensions between sustainability goals and the practical realities of running a festival, and how collective strategies can foster change without compromising cultural missions. Speakers: Karen Arikian (Hamptons Doc Fest, US), Marek Hovorka (Ji.hlava IDFF, CZ), Sabine Gebetsroither (Crossing Europe Film Festival Linz, AT). Moderator: Maša Marković (Sarajevo Film Festival, BA)
- Decoding the Documentary Industry: What Are Decision Makers Looking For?: 18 August 2025 | 12:30–13:30. Industry leaders share what drives programming and funding decisions, offering insight for filmmakers aiming to navigate the global documentary landscape. Speakers: Helder Beja (Doclisboa, PT), Mathilde Hernot (Festival Scope, FR), Stefan Ivančić (Locarno Film Festival, RS). Moderator: Asja Krsmanović (Sarajevo Film Festival, BA)
