We, the undersigned, express our support to the people of Ukraine in such a dire moment. The Kremlin's aggression is a terrible act of war that has no place in modern society, in Europe or a democratic world.

We stand with the Ukrainian people and ask that the response of the international community will be adequate and Putin's hostile act will not go unpunished. No country has the right to violate the borders of a sovereign state under the pretext of any lie. This is an attack on democracy. 

We, the international documentary community of filmmakers and film professionals, condemn such an act of aggression. We call upon political representatives to take action, respond to the Russian invasion and to work together towards the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.

We ask the international community to support Ukrainian journalists, filmmakers and artists as they document their reality in the face of the ongoing information war also being waged against them.

Let us add that hatred towards Russian people based on the acts of individuals is also reprehensible. We also stand with the many Russians who condemn Putin's actions, regime and who make many courageous contributions towards a free and just world despite the risks to their own personal safety.

Stay strong, Ukrainian friends!

If you can, please consider donating to one of the vetted organizations below.
Babylon ‘13 - Support for Ukrainian Filmmakers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/B2BDoc/permalink/4370671723033131/ 
Docudays UA - Support for the festival: https://docudays.ua/eng/donate/ 
People in Need: https://www.peopleinneed.net/pin-condemns-attack-on-ukraine-8556gp 
Support Ukrainian Army: https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate/ 
Support organizations that help children who suffer from war: https://voices.org.ua/en/donat/ 
Ukraine Humanitarian Fund: https://crisisrelief.un.org/t/ukraine 

See Ukrainian charities: a guide for international supporters

Letters asking for more European action can be addressed directly to:
Ursula von der Leyen
European Commission
Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200
1049 Brussels
Belgium
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/president_en

Signed:

Institute of Documentary Film, Czech Republic
B2B Doc – Baltic to Black Sea Documentary Network, Sweden
Krakow Film Festival, Poland
Krakow Film Foundation, Poland
Documentary Association of Europe, Germany
goEast - Festival of Central and Eastern European Film, Germany
One World Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Czech Republic
Human Rights Film Network, The Netherlands
Movies that Matter, The Netherlands
DokuFest - Int'l Documentary and Short Film Festival, Kosovo
San Sebastian Human Rights Film Festival, Spain
Nuremberg International Human Rights Film Festival, Germany
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Finland
HUMAN International Documentary Film Festival Oslo, Norway
International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, Geneva – FIFDH, Switzerland
Free Zone Film Festival, Serbia
One World Slovakia (People In Need Slovakia)
Stowarzyszenie FILMFORUM, Poland
Verzio International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Hungary
Human Rights Nights, Italy
AfricanBamba Human Rights Film Festival, Senegal
Human Rights Film Festival Guatemala
Red Carpet Human Rights Film Festival, Palestine
Entretodos - Festival de Filmes Curtos e Direitos Humanos, Brazil
HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL OF NAPLES, Italy
Mezipatra Queer Film Festival, Czech Republic
AFO (Academia Film Olomouc), Czech Republic
Cinema in Sneakers Film Festival for Kids and Youth - Fundacja Cinemania, Poland
IMD - FICDH/FINCA, Argentina
Visions du Réel, Switzerland
DOK Leipzig, Germany
FIPADOC, France
Cannes Docs, France
The Polish Documentary Directors Guild, Poland
International Human Rights Film Festival Albania
Akademia e Filmit dhe Multimedias Marubi, Albania
MADOKE - Hungarian Documentary Association, Hungary
Trento Film Festival, Italy
Thessaloniki Film Festival, Greece
Fondation FIFDH, Switzerland
FIDMarseille, France
Bergen International Film Festival, Norway
Vermont International Film Festival (VTIFF), USA
Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries, Latvia
When East Meets West, Italy
Nordisk Panorama, Sweden
Serial Killer TV Festival, Czech Republic
Sunny Side of the Doc, France
Points North Institute / Camden International Film Festival, USA
Noir Film Festival, Czech Republic
Square Eyes, Austria
Pitch the Doc, Poland
DocPoint - Helsinki Documentary Film Festival, Finland
Artišokai, Lithuania
Raina Film Festival Distribution, Finland
Cinéma du Réel, France
Movies on War, Norway
DOCI/IT Associazione Documentaristi Italiani, Italy
Festival MÁS Nicaragua
Glasgow Short Film Festival, United Kingdom
Sakdoc Film, Georgia
Human Rights Film Center, Nepal
Karama Beirut Human Rights Film Festival, Lebanon
exground filmfest, Germany
Národní filmový archiv, Prague, Czech Republic
ACT Human Rights Film Festival, USA
Docmonde, France
Filmotor, Czech Republic
Jeden svět Ostrava, Czech Republic
Visible Film, Belgium
Karama Human Rights Film Festival, Jordan
Jump Cut srl, Italy
Festival El séptimo ojo es tuyo de Sucre, Bolivia
Amandus Film Festival, Norway
EURASF – European Academy of Science Film, Austria
Deckert Distribution, Germany
IEFTA - International Emerging Film Talent Association, Monaco
CROSSING EUROPE Film Festival Linz, Austria
Vestnorsk Filmsenter, Norway
Moldox Festival, Moldova
Queer Voices, Moldova
PARISCIENCE international film festival, France
Association Science & Television, France
ANIFILM International Festival of Animated Films, Czech Republic
Paloma Films, Germany
LET'S CEE Filmfestival, Austria
Rete Cinema Basilicata, Italy
Docaviv, Israel
Sheffield DocFest, United Kingdom
Stray Dogs, Italy
Dokumentarfilmwoche Hamburg, Germany
Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival, Czech Republic
DAFilms.com, Czech Republic
Iceland Documentary Film Festival (IceDocs), Iceland
Czech Film Fund / Státní fond kinematografie, Czech Republic
Censurados Film Festival, Peru
Miami Jewish Film Festival, USA
Go Short International Short Film Festival Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Birds Eye View Films, United Kingdom
CORSO Film, Germany
Festival Miradas Diversas, Venezuela
Beldocs International Documentary Film Festival, Serbia
Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival, Canada
asterisk*, Greece
In-Docs, Indonesia
BIND Film, The Netherlands
ATELIERS VARAN, France
CEE Animation, Czech Republic
Lublin Film Fesival, Poland
Balkan Documentary Center, Bulgaria
Association of Czech Animation Film, Czech Republic
Docmakers, The Netherland
International human rights documentary film festival INCONVENIENT FILMS, Lithuania
Semaine de la Critique Cannes, France
Milano Film Festival, Italy
HEARTWAKE films, Germany
Arc Film Festival, Germany
Camera Action Film Critics’ Festival, Poland
Wladyslaw Slesicki Film Foundation, Poland
DOC LAB POLAND, Poland
Modern Times Review, Norway/Germany
Baltic Balkan Productions, Latvia
EKOFILM, Czech Republic
Ganymedia Inc., Toronto, Canada
PAF Olomouc, Czech Republic
AUSTRIAN FILMS, Austria
Viennale, Austria
Black Movie Independent Film Festival, Switzerland
Cineblend, the Netherlands
Kinečko, Slovakia
Tenemos Que Ver, Uruguay
VIENNA SHORTS, Austria
Bakunawa Young Cinema [Film + Art Festival], Philippines
Abya Yala Films, Toronto, Canada
Tupilak (Nordic rainbow culture workers)
Doclisboa - International Film Festival, Portugal
Bikalpa Art Center, Nepal
Gograha Film Workshop, Nepal
Vladeo Film and Video Production, Canada/Serbia
Qwaves and Kanaka Pakipika, Hawai'i
Days Of Ethnographic Film, Slovenia
Walking in These Shoes - A Viral Interventions Commissioned Documentary,
dok.incubator, Czech Republic
FilmBath, UK
HF Productions, Denmark
One World Filmclubs, Austria
NOISE Film & TV, The Netherlands
Nordic/Docs Documentary Film Festival, Norway
MAGNETFILM GmbH, Germany
Tempo Documentary Festival, Sweden
The Norwegian Short Film Festival, Norway
International Female Film Festival Malmö - IFEMA, Sweden
Festival Scope
zero one film, Germany
HER Docs Film Festival, Poland
Festival des Libertés, Brussels, Belgium
INTERFILM, Germany
Kensington Communications Inc., Canada
Diagonale, Festival of Austrian Film, Austria
DocsBarcelona, Spain
MAS Film Festival, Nicaragua
AG DOK / German Documentary Association, Germany
Catherine Gund, Aubin Pictures, Australia
Double Hope Films, USA
Seine Pictures, USA
The Slovenian Federation of Filmmakers' Guilds, Slovenia
Films from the South Festival, Norway
Point du Jour - Les films du balibari, France
Mada Ideas Company Inc., Taiwan
EAVE, Spain
The Whickers, United Kingdom
The Norwegian Int. Film Festival in Haugesund, Norway
Canazwest Pictures, Canada
QueerScope - the association of independent queer film festivals in Germany
QFFM | QueerFilmFestival München, Germany
The Film Collaborative, USA
Haimes Film, Inc., USA
Documentary Producers Alliance, USA
Video Consortium (Atlanta) + (Regional), USA
VFS FILMS, Latvia
GroundStorm Media, USA
Video Consortium (Atlanta) + (Regional), USA
Frankly Speaking Films, USA
Fibonacci Film and Entertainment, USA
Ina Fichman, INTUITIVE PICTURES, Canada
Sobriety Films, UK
Riga Pasaules Film Festival, Latvia
EURODOC, France
German International Ethnographic Film Festival, Germany
Directors Guild of Slovenia (Društvo DSR), Slovenia
DSR Screenwriters (DSR Scenaristi), Slovenia
Festival cine por mujeres, Spain
Jill Audrey Campbell, USA
Ina Fichman, Canada
Deep Sea Studios, Latvia
SideXSide Studios, USA
Northern Lights Nordic Film Festival, Belarus
Marilyn Ness, Big Mouth Productions, USA
Ethnocineca - Int. Documentary Film Festival Vienna, Austria
Viscult film festival, Finland
tchavdar.com, USA
CPH:DOX*, Denmark
IDFA, The Netherlands
JAYU, Canada
Available Light Film Festival, Canada
A-Doc (Asian American Documentary Network)
MUSOC Muestra de Cine Social y Derechos Humanos de Asturias, Spain
Image'Est, France
Black Filmmakers Film Festival e.V, Germany
TEDDY AWARD, Germany
Estonian Documentary Guild, Estonia
WATCH DOCS Belarus Human Rights Film Festival, Belarus
B707 Productions, Inc., Canada/Jordan
Web Series World Cup
Le Cinématographe, France
Palestine Film Institute, Palestine
GNOMON Production, Czech Republic
Berlin Lesbian Non-Binary Filmfest (BLN), Germany
Minnesota WebFest, USA
Active Vista International Human Rights Film Festival, Philippines
Cinéaste, USA
anticlock films, Mumbai, India
EUscreen Foundation
Tusker Television GmbH, Germany
Dutch Film Days Vienna, Austria
dok.at - Austrian Documentary Film Alliance, Austria
Moscow International Festival of Visual Anthropology "Mediating Camera", Russia
Nordic Anthropological Film Association (NAFA), Norway

Film and culture organizations can sign at https://forms.gle/YoRZHasm3EikDmsj9.

VILNIUS, March 15, 2022. Lithuania knows a thing or two about staying silent. That silence ended on 23 August 1989 when two million people across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia formed a human chain: the Baltic Way. Seven months later, on March 11 1990, Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to declare independence.

The Vilnius International Film Festival (March 24- April 3.) is the first festival to boycott Russian cinema by refusing all Russian films and to act on this petition by the Ukrainian Film Academy is calling for. Instead the festival will dedicate a Day Zero on March 23 by screening five Ukrainian films: MARIUPOLIS, THE DISTANT BARKING DOGS, ATLANTIS, BAD ROADS, MY THOUGHTS ARE SILENT. The overarching theme of unity - To Exist You Have to Co-Exist - was chosen months ago to help its audience emerge from COVID-era isolation. 

As festival director Algirdas Ramaska explained to the New York Times last week, any film involving Russia-based companies would indirectly raise money for the war in Ukraine through taxation. “Total isolation will make more Russian people rise up against their government.”

The festival’s theme only drives home his point. “We must do everything we can to help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. With the boycott, the festival has taken a stand without any compromise. Seeing what is happening in society and the impact on mental health, our team feels that the festival is the most meaningful thing we can do at the moment. Films inspire us to define the difference between good and evil. Let's be curious, ask ourselves what our role in this tense world is. As a country, Lithuania has stayed silent for so long. We are not afraid to speak up.”

No stranger to international headlines, the festival’s fresh approach to its previous two locked-down online editions caught the eyes of global news agencies and critics. Its 2020 edition turned part of the Vilnius airport into a drive-in theater. Last year, local cinephiles checked into the city’s top hotels for a red-carpet experience with the entire festival line-up beamed into their rooms. 

This year sees the festival bringing audiences back with events that underline its theme of co-existence, including a gala screening at the national theater with XXXX. As part of the European Capital of Culture celebration in the city of Kaunas, the festival will build a one-off theater a special screening of Laurynas Bareiša’s PILGRIMS (Venice, Best Film Orizzonti 2021) in the village of Karmelava where the film was shot.

Vilnius IFF’s industry program Meeting Point Vilnius (MPV) also disinvited Russian projects in line with the festival’s boycott. Instead It will dedicate a special Ukrainian day to its program on April 1 with panels on political, institutional and film industry levels. As MPV’s Head of Industry Alessandra Pastor comments, “Ukrainian filmmakers deserve our full, undivided attention. As they fight for their country and their very lives, we offer a dialogue with them to define short, medium and long-term strategies. It’s never too late to start talking about tomorrow.” 

The Vilnius Film Festival is supported by the Lithuanian Film Centre, co-funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture, Creative Europe MEDIA Programme of the European Union, Vilnius City Municipality and Go Vilnius. Vilnius IFF Kino Pavasaris is an independent private initiative.
 
Vilnius Film Festival: kinopavasaris.lt 

Ukrainian Film Academy petition: https://www.change.org/p/film-institutions-and-film-professionals-call-for-a-boycott-of-russian-cinema

Due to interesting content, relevant speakers, and networking events during the summer ambiance combined with a spectacular view of the Adriatic, NEM Dubrovnik quickly became one of European favorite TV markets. Popularly called “TV market with a view“, NEM Dubrovnik 2022 will be held from June 6^th to 9^th, 2022 at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace.

First speakers and companies that confirmed their arrival this June are:

• Keynote speaker: Christina Sulebakk, General Manager, HBO Max EMEA
• Hans Troelstra, CEO, M7 Group
• Zbigniew Pruski, Commercial Director, Branded Services, BBC Studios
• Kasia Madera, Presenter, BBC World News
• Levente Málnay, EVP/MD, AMC Networks International Central & Northern Europe
• Guy Bisson, Research Director, Ampere Analysis
• Maria Rua Aguete, Executive Director, Technology Fellow, Omdia

The list of speakers at NEM Dubrovnik’s 2022 website will be updated in line with new and upcoming confirmations.

HBO Max to share a vision for streaming in EMEA

WarnerMedia has recently announced that the expansion of HBO Max continues on 8^th March when it launches in more European countries. The European chief heads to NEM Dubrovnik this summer to explain the streamer’s strategy and how it’s looking to drive growth in current and future markets. “I’m thrilled to speak at NEM. With HBO Max expanding to 27 European countries this year, including nations across Central Eastern Europe, NEM presents the perfect moment to come together.”, said Christina Sulebakk, General Manager, HBO Max EMEA who will join NEM 2022 as a keynote speaker.

Key panel session about the everchanging TV industry

This will be the first time for Hans Troelstra, CEO, M7 Group to visit NEM Dubrovnik and join one of the key panel sessions which will gather some of the key decision makers who will talk about what it takes to navigate through the everchanging and turbulent TV industry: “I am looking forward to taking part in the panel discussion and to share more about how we anticipated the rapidly changing viewing behavior and demands over time. I hope NEM will be a great opportunity to meet operators from the region and explore new content partnership opportunities.” The key panel session will be moderated by Kasia Madera, Presenter, BBC World News: “I’m delighted to be moderating a key panel session at NEM Dubrovnik later this year. It’s vitally important for industry experts across the region to connect and collaborate in order to future-proof the sector’s products and services for years to come.” 

During the three days of lectures, panels, screenings, Q&As, and smaller networking events, NEM Dubrovnik will be “the place to be” for the key players in the TV industry, eager to hear about the new trends. For all attendees to feel safe, the event will be organized in line with the latest epidemiological measures.

Beta Film and ZDF Enterprises networking events

Once again, Beta Film will be a major partner of NEM Dubrovnik, and Beta Night will take place on the second evening at beautiful Vala beach. ZDF Enterprises will present their latest content after a welcome drink on the first evening, and all the details will be given during a Q&A session.

Technology became an integral part of the media industry and one part of NEM's agenda will again be fully dedicated to it. TV TechShowcase is a slot for technology companies to present their innovative work and solution-oriented projects to potential partners. 

Kids Kino has released a collection of films and series in Ukrainian. The collection is available on the NH VOD Kids Kino platform and it is regularly extended and updated. We begin with three series for children, a wildlife documentary, and film festival winners loved by children around the world. We are going to add new productions to the list soon. The films are available free of charge and without the need to log in. The collection is addressed to the youngest refugees from Ukraine.

As an industry part of the Kids Kino IFF we would like to thank the representatives of Polish and foreign film companies for helping us in a process of creating the collection for Ukrainian young refugees in Poland. 

We believe that films have the power to change the world and offer real help and encouragement in difficult moments. Cinema fosters dialogue and builds mutual understanding. This is why we wish to make use of what we know best and provide support to Ukrainian people in this unbelievably terrible situation of war. Our offer is directed to care centres, educational centres, public offices, foundations, preschools, primary schools, and all other interested institutions. 

We have prepared a collection of children’s feature films and series in the Ukrainian language. Titles are available for free, without logging in or registering on the platform: nowehoryzonty.pl/ukraina. We hope they will be able to cheer up the youngest refugees from Ukraine that we are currently hosting in our homes in Poland. 

The NH VOD platform is available only in the territory of Poland. The list will be gradually extended by new titles.

Many thanks to our partners: Copenhagen Bombay, KAZstudio, Gutek Film, REinvent, GS Animation, Letko, Badi Badi, Animoon, Roboto Sound, Studio Publishing BM, Uchostudio, Studio ZET, Good4Frame S.C. Thanks for the preparation of vod in the Ukrainian version go to Jakub Królikowski (Pracownia Pakamera) and Multiversal.

More information in English and Ukrainian

Filmmakers and scriptwriters from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia encouraged to apply to the fourth edition of script development programme to be held in Lithuania. 

The BALTIC SHORTS RESIDENCY is the annual short film script development program dedicated to the filmmakers from Baltic countries. Taking place in Lithuania from 1-19 June 2022, it will see three selected participants (one from each Baltic country) each receiving an opportunity to benefit from professional consultation and deliver a fully finished script of the short film.

The Residency will be held in the Kintai Arts artspace based in Kintai, a small town of Klaipėda County, Lithuania. The unique residency location is an artistic initiative that encourages encounters with contemporary art forms outside of urban cultural centers. Kintai Arts is a non-profit organization active in the fields of arts, residencies, crafts and education.

The successful applicants will be mentored by creative advisor and script consultant Wim Vanacker. Vanacker has previously worked at  NISI MASA – European Network of Young Cinema where he became the Head of the Script Department and the Project manager of the MEDIA funded project, European Short Pitch. He is also a member of the Selection Committee for the Official Short Film Competition of the Cannes Film Festival and works as the Editorial Consultant for the First Cut Lab.

Eligible applicants are film directors and scriptwriters from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia who have finished at least one short film project and are developing a new project which is fiction, animation or a hybrid of the two. The project must be in an early script development stage, up to 30 minutes long and aimed at an international audience. At the end of the residency, participants will be asked to submit their projects to the Baltic Pitching Forum.

Previous editions of the Baltic Shorts Residency have welcomed filmmakers such as Latvian director Žanete Skarule who took part in the 2021 edition with the project Big Loop – Small Loop, which later was pitched at the Baltic Pitching Forum 2021. Also taking part in 2021 was Lithuanian film director Akvilė Gelažiūtė whose project 2.2 Atmospheres or Medium Pressure currently finds itself in post production. In 2020 Estonian director and scriptwriter Jaanika Arum took part with the project Skin Of A Mandarin. After being pitched at the likes of the Baltic Pitching Forum and Euro Connection, the now completed project is awaiting its world premiere.

Rimantė Daugėlaitė-Cegelskienė, Head of Lithuanian Shorts said:

“Over the past three years, the Baltic Shorts Residency has become an important event for filmmaking creatives in the Baltic regions to be able to hone their ideas and help them on their way to realizing their projects. With already a number of success stories during the past few years, we’re looking forward to welcoming a new set of talents and helping more wonderful filmmakers and scriptwriters develop their work.”

The Baltic Shorts Residency is supported by Lithuanian Council for Culture, Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture in partnership with Kintai Arts, PÖFF Shorts | Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Riga International Film Festival, Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS and Latvian Animation Association.

Application deadline - 16 April, 2022. Register HERE.

The Residency’s regulations can be found HERE.

For more information visit here.

CONTACTS

Gabrielė Cegialytė

Lithuanian Short Film Agency
"LITHUANIAN SHORTS"
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +370 628 35040
www.lithuanianshorts.com

A total of seven Croatian films, six of which are minority Croatian co-productions, are screening at this year’s Sofia International Film Festival, held in hybrid format until the end of April. In addition, a special programme created in collaboration with the Zagreb Film Festival, consisting of five shorts runs in Bulgaria’s capital.

The film festival is held live at cinemas until the end of March, when about 80 titles will move online until end of April. 

The Balkan Competition programme will feature Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović’s multi-award-winning Murina, while the same programme will also present minority Croatian co-productions Heavens Above – the new fiction feature directed by Srđan Dragojević (Croatian co-producer is Darija Kulenović Gudan), and Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, directed and written by Romanian Radu Jude (Croatian co-producer is Ankica Jurić Tilić). 

Four more minority co-productions are screening out of competition, which are fiction feature God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunija directed by Teona Strugar Mitevska (Croatian co-producer is Zdenka Gold), Borivoj Andrić’s How I Learned to Fly (Croatian co-producer is again Ankica Jurić Tilić), The Barefoot Emperor directed by duo Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth (with Croatian co-producers Boris T. Matić and Lana Matić) and Gogita’s New Life, a documentary feature by director Levan Koguashvili (Croatian co-producer is Dario Domitrović). 

The Sofia IAFF also presents a special section of Croatian shorts entitled Short Selection Zagreb, a programme created in collaboration with the Zagreb Film Festival that will include five titles by young Croatian filmmakers: Borna Zidarić’s Alone, Sara Grgurić’s In the Woods, Rockets directed by Saša Poštić and Pavle Kocanjer, Mate Ugrin’s Everything Ahead and Andrija Tomić’s Bulky Waste. 

The Sofia International Film Festival is the largest event of its kind in Bulgaria. Held since 1997, it offers domestic audiences a chance to see the best new titles of world cinema and showcases the best cinematic titles from Bulgaria and the region to international audiences. It is also the only Bulgarian film festival to be recognized by FIAPF and FIPRESCI. 

Co-production market Sofia Meetings also takes place as part of the Sofia International Film Festival, but due to the current epidemiological situation, this year’s 19th edition will be held 6th – 12th June. Focusing on Eastern European filmmakers and projects, Sofia Meetings involves the participation of about 700 film professionals from all over the world. At the market, sales agents, distributors and festival directors are presented with work-in-progress titles, as well as films by young directors looking for producers and investors in the early stages of development. 

All other details about the Sofia IAFF are available on the festival’s official website.