Institute of Documentary Film

08/06/2026

Congratulations to Cameo by Siarhei Marchyk, produced by Siarhei Marchyk and Marita Bierońska, recipient of the East Doc Award at KFF Industry in Krakow. ✨

The film follows a 29-year-old soldier on the front line in Ukraine, whose life changes when he learns he is going to become a father. Caught between loyalty to his comrades and responsibility for his family, he faces a decision that will shape his future. 🎥

The awarded project receives a rough cut consultation with the Institute of Documentary Film’s experts, supporting its path toward festival circulation. 🌍

🔗 More info: https://dokweb.net/articles/detail/1958

📸 Marchello Production

27/05/2026

Our Programme Director Veronika Janatková spoke with Vittoria Scarpa (Cineuropa) about this year’s edition of East Doc Platform, the challenges facing filmmakers across Central and Eastern Europe, and the importance of documentary film in preserving memory and lived experience.

In the interview, she reflects on the need for spaces where filmmakers can meet face to face despite political pressure and shrinking funding opportunities, the growing openness towards stories of fragility and vulnerability, and future plans for East Doc Market — including residencies for filmmakers working in difficult conditions. She also speaks about documentary cinema as a way to resist historical manipulation and record perspectives that might otherwise disappear.

📌 The full interview is available here: https://cineuropa.org/en/interview/490697/

26/05/2026

✦ 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 ✦

DOK Leipzig 2026 is now accepting submissions – documentary and animated films of any length, produced in 2025 or 2026, with no public screenings before October 1, 2025.

⏰ Deadline: July 1.

More info below 👇

FILMMAKERS, LET'S GO! Send us your newest films for DOK Leipzig 2026.

We’re looking for:
💥 documentary and animated films
💥 of any length
💥 produced in 2025 or 2026
💥 that have not been shown publicly before 1 October 2025

🫵 Your submission deadline: 1 July

For everyone needing guidelines, questions answered, or the SHORTEST WAY to the entry form, please head over to our website now 👉 https://lnkd.in/dXGTuZbt 👈 and we will see you SOON.

📣 We can't wait to see what you've been working on! 📣

26/05/2026

A documentary pitching session is taking place today in Yerevan 🇦🇲, and our Programme Director Veronika Janatková is among the jury members!.

Eight projects from Armenia, Georgia, and Iran will be presented as part of the Stephanie von Lukowicz documentary film producing workshop, organised within the European Film Festival 2026. The winning project will be announced tomorrow at the festival's closing ceremony.

Good luck to all the teams pitching today!

25/05/2026

A big congratulations to Ip Dip Sky Blue by Nino Lomadze and producer Gvantsa Nadibaidze, recipient of the East Doc Award at Beldocs Industry Days.✨

Co-created with children growing up in the village of Mejvriskhevi near a Russian military post, the film captures their world through cameras they hold themselves – balancing play, imagination, and the invisible weight of occupation. 🎥

Alongside the award, the project receives a rough cut consultation with the Institute of Documentary Film, supporting the film on its journey toward international festival circulation. 🌍

🔗More info: https://dokweb.net/articles/detail/1953

📸 Beldocs

20/05/2026

Read a new interview with our Ex Oriente Film Manager Anna Kaslová, reflecting on the programme's journey and what makes it a lasting home for documentary storytelling in Central and Eastern Europe.

In conversation with Vittoria Scarpa (Cineuropa), she speaks about Ex Oriente Film as a space for courageous, auteur-driven projects – built on peer-to-peer support, careful development, and a commitment to filmmakers who aren't afraid of uncomfortable stories. She also reflects on how today's documentaries increasingly blend the deeply personal with the urgently political, and shares future plans – from hybrid training models to AI literacy and ethics for creators.

📌 The full interview is available here: https://cineuropa.org/en/interview/490443/

19/05/2026

✦ 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧 ✦

The call is open! dok.incubator is looking for documentary projects from Visegrad countries for its 2026 edition – rough cuts aiming for international audiences. New formats included this year: TV & web series, hybrid docs, cross-genre projects and more.

Deadline: June 1 ⏰

More info in the post below 👇

The wait is over! 🎉 dok.incubator is opening a call for projects to participate in its 2026 edition!
👉🏼 New formats, new opportunities but still the same team of experienced international tutors – don't miss this chance, apply before 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭 ⏰

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿?
🤝🏼 We are looking for ambitious films in the rough cut stage, aiming to reach international audiences. The call is open for filmmakers from Visegrad countries who want to refine the dramaturgy of their film, strengthen the final cut, and think strategically about distribution and international audience reach.

𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀:
🔥 This year we are expanding the call to a broad range of storytelling formats and voices – spanning traditional formats, documentary TV and web series, hybrid documentaries, web-based narratives, and innovative cross-genre projects with a strong documentary core.

𝗜𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵?
👇🏼 Check the link in comments, read the conditions & save the deadline, we can't wait to learn more about your film!

18/05/2026

✦ 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧 ✦

Applications are now open for the EAVE (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs) Marketing Workshop – a leading international training programme focused on film marketing and promotion.

Designed for film producers and industry professionals (including sales agents, distributors, festival representatives, consultants, and institutional partners), the workshop welcomes both emerging and experienced talents working with films or series at any stage of development.

📅 Luxembourg | November 15 – 20, 2026
⏰ Application deadline: June 1

More info in the post ⬇︎

15/05/2026

We’re very happy to have presented the East Doc Platform Award at DocsBarcelona Pro to Diary of Experiences by Dorota Roś. ✨

The project follows Konrad, who loses his voice after laryngeal cancer surgery and begins developing an AI-powered device to speak again – a deeply moving story about identity, intimacy, and finding a new way to be heard. 🎙️

By receiving the award, the project joins East Doc Market 2027, where filmmakers meet leading international funders, broadcasters, distributors, and festival representatives from across the documentary industry. 🌍

🔗 More info: https://dokweb.net/articles/detail/1950/