European Film Promotion (EFP) and CPH:DOX announced March 4the launch of EUROPE! On Demand, a new initiative designed to boost the visibility of European documentaries in the North American market. The online showcase, jointly curated by EFP and the programming team at CPH:DOX, presents a hand-picked selection of seven outstanding European documentaries and world premieres from this year’s line-up to U.S. buyers and distributors.
EUROPE! On Demand will feature “a carefully curated selection of seven exceptional documentaries from the different sections of the festival,” organisers write. This includes, from the DOX:AWARD section, See You Tomorrow on the Moon (France) by Thomas Balmès, a poignant documentary about a young family navigating terminal illness and palliative care; The Castle (France, Italy) by Danny Biancardi, Virginia Nardelli, and Stefano Giuseppe La Rosa, which follows three children in Palermo as they turn an abandoned building into a secret refuge from the violence of the outside world; Flophouse America (Norway, Netherlands, USA) by Monica Strømdahl, an intimate portrait of a 12-year-old boy growing up in a household marked by substance abuse, but also love and dreams of a better future; The Helsinki Effect (Finland) by Arthur Franck, an all-archival essay documentary exploring the myths and narratives of the Cold War era and their lasting impact on global diplomacy; and Sanatorium (Ireland, Ukraine, France) by Gar O’Rourke, a visually striking look at life inside the brutalist Kuyalnik Sanatorium in Odesa, where a small group searches for healing, love, and happiness despite the war raging nearby.
From the HUMAN:RIGHTS Award section, the line-up features Girls & Gods (Austria) by Verena Soltiz and Arash T. Riahi, a thought-provoking exploration of whether monotheistic religions can be feminist, following radical activists challenging traditional religious structures; and Black Water (Spain) by Natxo Leuza, which tells the urgent story of climate displacement in Bangladesh, where rising sea levels force thousands to migrate to the capital each day.
EUROPE! On Demand will also include a dedicated press and promotion campaign, as well as tailor-made industry preparation for participating filmmakers, offering guidance on U.S. market strategies and key introductions. On-site at the festival the programme offers an in-person networking event at CPH:FORUM.
“We are absolutely delighted—and grateful—to collaborate with CPH:DOX, an outstanding international documentary festival,” comments EFP Managing Director Sonja Heinen. “We can’t wait to be there! Our initiative marks the beginning of a new collaboration by offering a tailor-made platform to connect European filmmakers with key players in North America. With its sharp focus on bridging European talent with the U.S. industry, EUROPE! On Demand builds on EFP’s mission to enhance the international reach of European cinema.”
Mara Gourd-Mercado, Head of Industry & Training at CPH:DOX comments: “We are thrilled to collaborate with EFP on this initiative. EFP promoting a selection of European titles is such a fantastic addition to the CPH:MARKET platform and a great opportunity for European documentaries to gain visibility and potential distribution in the North American market. This partnership also solidifies CPH:INDUSTRY’s position as must-attend for the documentary industry stakeholders. We are looking forward to a fruitful partnership and a great showcase!”
