Running May 8 to 12, Millennium Docs Against Gravity (MDAG) Industry 2025 “offers a true backstage pass to the documentary world, crafted in response to the current needs of the audiovisual market, following trends, anticipating changes, and embracing innovation,” organisers write.
Highlights include pitches of new and completed Polish projects, a keynote by Mette Hoffmann Meyer and an “anti-masterclass” delivered by Mark Cousins.
Additionally, MDAG will partner with International Documentary Festival Visioni dal Mondo (Milan, 11-14 September), which will entail both Festivals “hosting” each other’s delegations, exchange Awards, promote activities, projects, and initiatives, “and facilitate the networking of the Italian and Polish documentary sectors.”
MDAG Industry also offers round-table consultation opportunities with leading doc professionals, such as Jan Rofekamp, Mark Edwards, DAE’s Anne Rethfeldt and Ji.hlava boss Marek Hovorka.
THURSDAY 8 MAY
- KIPA Breakfast: The KIPA Breakfast is an initiative launched in cooperation with the Polish Producers Alliance and their Young Producers Section. It offers an opportunity to network and meet representatives of leading film organisations, production companies, sales and distribution specialists as well as creators. Organiser: KIPA (Polish Producers Alliance)
- 6th Documentary Film Forum for Young Audiences: Filmmakers, producers, distributors, educators, teachers and parents are invited to participate in the 6th Forum. During the Forum, the festival will explain the idea behind “Jump in the Doc” programme – why it is worth creating and funding Polish documentary cinema for young viewers. We will present the creative process behind the film King Matt the First, which will premiere at MDAG, and discuss the activities of Czech Television in the context of young audiences. The key part of the Forum will be the presentation of eight projects from the fourth edition of Jump in the Doc and two international projects. The Forum is a great opportunity to exchange ideas and build a support network for the brand of Polish documentary films for young audiences. Organiser: Andrzej Wajda Centre for Film Culture. Partners: Millennium Docs Against Gravity, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, KBF (Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe), Krakow Film Commission, Polish Producers Alliance, Polish Filmmakers Association, Dziki Bez Association. The project is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute
FRIDAY 9 MAY
- Keynote – An Unpredictable World: Mette Hoffmann Meyer, multi-award-winning executive producer, former Head of Docs at Danish TV will give her unfiltered thoughts as our Keynote Speaker, asking: how do we tell stories when the world and the contexts of the stories are changing so fast? How do we fight disinformation and fake news? How do our [platforms/media/organizations] become the place to go when we want to understand the world we live in – as it is?
- Progress Pitching Session: An event dedicated to visually interesting, creative documentary projects with international potential. It is an excellent chance to discover films which are looking for international co-production or distribution opportunities in their different phases, from concept to post-production. Selected finalists will present their projects to leading Polish and international film industry representatives: producers, investors, sales agents, distributors and festival programmers. The pitching aims to leverage the festival guests’ expertise and create a place where world-class projects are born. Organiser: Against Gravity. Partners: Polish Film Institute, CANAL+ Poland, Polish Filmmakers Association, SMAKJAM, SoundMind, Institute of Documentary Film, CPH:DOX, EAVE, IMS, Visioni dal Mondo. Moderator: Martijn te Pas
- Panel: International Documentary Co-Productions – Opportunity or Challenge? In the era of globalization and the growing popularity of documentaries in international markets, co-productions have become a key element in the production of ambitious projects. But how can filmmakers effectively collaborate with partners from different countries? What are the biggest challenges and benefits of international co-productions? During the panel, the festival will discuss funding opportunities, legal aspects, cultural differences, and strategies for building strong relationships with international partners. Our experts will share their experiences and practical insights. Speakers: Katarzyna Kuczyńska (Haka Films), Anders Bruus (DR), Sara Yamashita Rüster (Swedish Film Institute). Moderator: Ola Salwa. Partners: Polish Producers Alliance, Mazovia Warsaw Film Commission
- Lecture: Global Stories, Local Audiences: Co-production & distribution opportunities for European Documentary in Korea & Asian region. As European documentary filmmakers and producers expand their focus on Korea and the broader Asian market for co-production and distribution opportunities, this session will provide industry insights into the current market landscape. It will offer a concise overview of available funding opportunities, strategic approaches for successful international collaborations, key industry/festival platforms, and the unique challenges and advantages of navigating the Korean and Asian documentary sectors. Panellist: KIM Young Woo
SATURDAY 10 MAY
- Short Pitch Program: The pitch presentation in the form of a short, 10-minute presentation for each of 5 short films in rough-cut stage, which will be followed by individual meetings between participants and the decision makers, consisting of sales, buyers, and festival representatives. The event will include consultations with experts prior to the pitch, in order to improve their presentation skills and update the project pitch decks for the specific audience of decision makers. Organisers: Institute of Documentary Film, Millennium Docs Against Gravity. Moderator: Emilia Mazik
- Workshop: Navigating the Short Film Circuit – Festivals, Markets & Industry Tips. An interactive workshop about the short film circuit, focused on what to do when you finish a short film. This includes getting your film screened (distribution/sales, submission platforms, how to make your own distribution strategy, premiere statuses, working with distributors); How do film festivals work (selection criteria, how selection committees operate, visiting a festival, dos and don’ts of submission); Talent development opportunities (training programs, networking, industry programs); Other practical tips. The talk is targeted at film students and filmmakers at the beginning of their careers. Speakers: Emilia Mazik, Mathieu Janssen. Partner: Institute of Documentary Film
- The Anti-Masterclass by Mark Cousins: Come and meet Mark Cousins at an event which will subvert the idea of a typical masterclass. Although the meeting will be unorthodox in form, the event will tackle some of the most prominent notions that are often represented in Cousins’ work. It will analyse images, showing how different stills can have a plethora of planes and evoke different emotions. In another important part of the meeting it will talk about storytelling. Both from the side of choosing subjects, but also constructing the storylines. Can the way in which we construct fictitious narratives help us with creating documentary ones? The masterclass will be hosted by the Artistic Director of MDAG, Karol Piekarczyk.
SUNDAY 11 MAY
- Pole Position – Pitching Session: Join us for an experimental pitching of Polish films that are already completed and included in the program of the 22. Millennium Docs Against Gravity. The short presentations will encourage foreign guests to watch the film and include it in their festival programme or distribution. This is a unique opportunity for filmmakers to attract the best industry professionals, organisers underline. Organiser: Against Gravity. Moderator: Zofia Jaroszuk
- Soundscapes: Crafting Immersive Audio in Documentary Film. Masterclass by Nicolas Becker and Peter Albrechtsen. An exclusive masterclass with world-renowned sound designers Peter Albrechtsen and Nicolas Becker, the creative forces behind the immersive soundscapes of Viktor (dir. Olivier Sarbil). This unique session offers an in-depth exploration of sound design in documentary filmmaking, focusing on the artistic and technical challenges of crafting an auditory world for a protagonist who cannot hear. In this masterclass, Albrechtsen and Becker (Oscar®-winning sound designer for Sound of Metal) will break down their creative process, revealing how they designed a deeply immersive sonic experience that conveys both the absence and presence of sound. Through case studies, behind-the-scenes insights, and technical demonstrations, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the role of sound in documentary storytelling and designing soundscapes that reflect subjective perception. Partner: Polish Filmmakers Association. Location: Chopin University of Music
- Workshop: Social Sustainability in European Film Production. Towards a diverse and ethical ecosystem This workshop aims to explore the intersection of social and environmental sustainabilitywithin the European film industry. Participants will explore the interconnectedness of these two critical areas and identify strategies to better integrate sustainable practices in film production. The workshop will provide a platform for collaborative discussion, sharing best practices, and developing actionable plans to enhance sustainability efforts across the industry. By focusing on both environmental impact and social responsibility, the workshop seeks to foster a holistic approach to sustainability in European filmmaking. Speaker: Fatih Abay
MONDAY 12 MAY: MDAG VISION – XR DAY
- XTENDED PITCH. For the first time, MDAG Industry will present XR (extended reality), AR (augmented reality), and VR (virtual reality) projects at various stages of production. Carefully selected projects that blur genre boundaries and explore new forms of storytelling have been prepared for presentation by experienced tutors. These innovative video experiences and interactive projects have the potential to find their place not only at documentary film festivals but also in galleries, museums, as educational tools, and in many other spaces. “We invite creators, producers, curators, distributors, and all those interested in the future of immersive storytelling formats. This is a great opportunity to discover projects that may change the way we perceive art, education, and documentary filmmaking.” Moderator: Georgy Molodtsov
- AI &Me: Judged by Algorithms. An exclusive meeting with the creators of the interactive XR installation AI & Me, which invites deep reflection on the relationship between humans and algorithms. AI & Me is a multi-layered installation that explores the interaction between artificial intelligence and human beings. Creators Daniela Nedovescu and Octavian Mot invite you to delve into the topic of artificial intelligence, its impact on our self-esteem, and the boundaries of machine intervention in our self-image. The meeting will be an opportunity to discuss the process behind this unique XR experience and the challenges of creating interactive installations in the era of AI.
ROUND-TABLE CONSULTATIONS
Round table consultations are an intimate networking format where participants sit down with experts to discuss a selected industry topic, offering opportunities to ask questions, get practical advice, and share own experiences. These informal meetings foster knowledge exchange and help build valuable connections. Each session lasts one hour, allowing for in-depth small-group conversations. Participation is available to accredited industry guests, and this year’s expert line-up includes:
- Jan Rofekamp – Discuss pre-sales strategies in the documentary film industry and learn how to best prepare your project for the international market. (May 9)
- Anne Rethfeldt (DAE) – Take the chance to learn more about the Documentary Association of Europe and the support it offers to documentary professionals. (May 9)
- Marek Hovorka (Ji.hlava IDFF) – Explore Ji.hlava’s industry initiatives, including the Emerging Producers program, and get answers to all your questions about this renowned festival. (May 10)
- Anas Khelawy (Al Jazeera) – Find out about funding opportunities from Al Jazeera and how to best pitch your project to the channel. (May 10)
- Mark Edwards – Gain insight into how to successfully reach broadcasters – ask your questions and discover proven approaches. (May 11)
- Francesco Bizzarri (Visioni Dal Mondo Festival) – A conversation focused on the Italian co-production landscape and possibilities of collaborating with the Visioni Dal Mondo festival. (May 11)
- Marek Hovorka (Ji.hlava IDFF) – Explore Ji.hlava’s industry initiatives, including the Emerging Producers program, and get answers to all your questions about this renowned festival. (May 10)
The 22nd Millennium Docs Against Gravity will take place from May 9 to 18, 2025, in cinemas in Warsaw, Wrocław, Gdynia, Poznań, Katowice, Bydgoszcz, and Łódź, and from May 20 to June 2 online at mdag.pl.
