Institute of Documentary Film (IDF) is inviting documentary professionals to attend East Doc Platform 2026 (EDP), taking place from 19 to 25 March 2026 at the French Institute in Prague, and held in association with the One World International Human Rights Film Festival. The deadline for applications is March 5.
“East Doc Platform is the largest professional platform for documentary film in Central and Eastern Europe, and is a key international meeting point for co-production, financing and distribution,“ organisers write.
“This year’s edition carries special significance as the Institute of Documentary Film celebrates 25 years of activity in 2026. Alongside its rich programme, the platform will reflect on a quarter-century dedicated to supporting documentary cinema,“ organisers continue.
Afterimages
“The theme of East Doc Platform 2026, Afterimages, explores stories that remain with us long after the moment of viewing. Even when an image fades, it leaves a trace that shapes memory, understanding and emotional response. Documentary film is presented as a medium of lasting impact – carrying experiences beyond their original context and into wider reflection,“ organisers underline.
“The official visual of East Doc Platform 2026, created by Kateřina Janků, invites audiences to slow down. Viewers are encouraged to fix their gaze on a single point for thirty seconds and then look away into an empty white space. What remains is not absence, but an afterimage – a quiet imprint of light and colour lingering in vision. The visual is not only meant to be seen but experienced as a pause and a ritual of attention.“
Programme highlights
East Doc Platform 2026 offers a carefully curated programme bringing together international documentary professionals and the wider public through industry events, screenings and discussions.
The key industry events are the East Doc Forum (24 March, 9:00–13:20) and the East Doc Market (23–25 March). East Doc Forum serves as the flagship pitching platform for feature-length documentary films and factual series in development or early production. Selected projects are presented to international commissioning editors, film fund representatives, distributors and producers, opening opportunities for co-production, financing and international collaboration. East Doc Market complements the forum with curated, pre-arranged one-to-one meetings between filmmakers and international industry professionals, supporting projects in development, as well as rough cuts and completed films, in their search for partners, festivals and distribution.
Alongside its industry focus, East Doc Platform presents a rich open programme for the general public, emerging professionals and documentary enthusiasts. Highlights include Czech Docs: Coming Soon (23 March, 17:30–18:30), showcasing five upcoming Czech feature-length documentaries nearing completion; the panel discussion Reaching the Next Generation: Distribution Strategies for Young Audiences (19 March, 19:00–20:00); and immersive VR screenings of 21-22 CHINA and Fresh Memories: The Look (21–24 March).
The open programme also features a presentation of the East Doc Caravan festival distribution service, accompanied by a screening of the award-winning film In Hell with Ivo, as well as lectures and discussions addressing key topics such as distribution strategies, audience development, archive-based filmmaking and new storytelling formats.
The full programme is available at dokweb.net.
Ex Oriente Film 3rd session
East Doc Platform 2026 will also host the third residential session of the international workshop Ex Oriente Film, concluding its current edition. In addition to a closed programme for participants, Ex Oriente Film will offer open lectures, case studies and masterclasses. Confirmed tutors are Mila Turajlić, Igor Bezinović, Caroline Libresco, Anna Berthollet and Paul Rieth, among others.
Programme highlights include a special screening of Mila Turajlić’s Non-Aligned: Scenes from the Labudović Reels; a masterclass by Igor Bezinović on the making of his European Film Award-winning Fiume o Morte!; a lecture by Anna Berthollet on world sales and international distribution strategies; Dmitra Kouzi’s session on publicity and outreach for documentaries; and Michael Palm’s exploration of editing as a creative collaboration between director and editor.
Industry Pass
Accreditations for East Doc Platform 2026 are now open. Documentary professionals can apply for an Industry Pass via dokweb.net. Deadline: 5 March 2026.
