Between the Seas looks back upon documentary outcomes from Central and Eastern Europe. Last year initiated competition Fascinations penetrates limits of documentary cinema to its experimental borders. Concerning the non-competitive part of the programme, we recall before all Translucent Beings, devoted to the work of well-known personalities of the documentary film history, or Transparent Landscape, sketching representative map of outstanding documentary regions, in the first place. Besides of purely cinematic attractions the autumny Jihlava prepares a traditional portion of theatrical or musical distraction, as well as author´s readings, panel discussions or workshops.
Hungarian Film Uprising - Béla Balázs Studio presented in Jihlava
The retrospective profile will introduce the work of the experimental and documentary island of freedom in the communist Hungary - globally respected Béla Balázs Studio, celebrating 50th anniversary. Apparently, Studio´s formally progressive films treated the "regime-convenient" themes, but the works were full of irony and bitter commentaries. A certain influence of the Czech New Wave was palpable through "Forman-like" satiric shades in some movies. Many a major figure of the Hungarian cinema began their work in the Studio - e.g. Béla Tarr, Zoltán Huszárik, Gábor Body, János Tóth, András Szirtes etc. The Jihlava retrospective will be so far the most self-contained show of the work of Studio in the Czech Republic. It will offer twenty pictures; most of them for the first time ever here. (See the complete press release)
Media and Documentary - Writing about documentary?
The workshop Media and Documentary also opens in Jihlava this year. The workshop is intended for both students of Film studies and Journalism and led by skilled lectors-film publicist. It focuses on the question of writing about documentary in various genres and kinds of printed media. First, students become familiar with theoretical outsets of each genre, its advantages and limits, and subsequently they prepare their own texts on films from the festival programme. The workshop has its international part (held in English), too. For more information on third edition of the workshop see our web site.
Prize for the best Czech TV report
For the third time, Jihlava IDFF and the Respekt magazine announced the Respekt Prize to be given to the best of Czech TV, video or online reports of the last year. Subscribed reports are to be sent to MFDF Jihlava, 12, Školská st., Prague 1, 110 00 until September, 15, 2009 (a filled entry-form added and signed „The Respekt Prize"). Special deadline for the reports on the parliamentary election was set on October, 15. More information and entry-form here (only in Czech).
Doc Alliance Films - the new deal for feature documentary
Doc Alliance Films plays a crucial role as a platform for online distribution of creative documentaries and experimental movies. Nearly 250 outstanding films by such well-known directors as Michael Glawogger, Ulrich Seidl, Jorgen Leth, James T. Hong or Harun Farocki are available for download or streaming. The film of this week is Highway World - Living, Changing, Growing (2007) by German director Martin Hans Schmitt. The visual contemplation of humam mobility focuses on the relation between the man and the road. Crossroad (Avtagssjäl, 2007) by Swedish Kristina Meiton is about the so-called „journey through a one´s life", too. It concerns the life of a truck driver. Doc Alliance initiative (co-founded by five european key festivals of documentary) systematically supports formally and thematically courageous films. For more information see http://www.docalliancefilms.com/
East European Forum - Application Deadline: September 11
The selection of projects for the East European Forum is nearing a close. The deadline for applications is set for September 11. The region's largest meeting of Central and East European documentary filmmakers with the world's leading commissioning editors and distributors will take place from October 27 - November 1, 2009 at the Jihlava IDFF. The selected filmmakers will get the opportunity to present their documentary projects and to obtain financial or other forms of support. Marking its ninth edition this year, the Forum is organized by the Institute of Documentary Film. Applications should be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The prestige of the meeting has been increasing each year; since its foundation in 2001, the Forum has hosted 480 East European filmmakers and producers, 59 TV commissioning editors and dozens of international distributors. As of 2009, 45 documentary films have been made with the support of the Forum.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Institute of Documentary Film, http://www.docuinter.net/
East Silver Market introduces new award entitled SILVER EYE, which will grant two financial awards for East European filmmakers.
SILVER EYE is an award for the best mid and short length documentary of the East Silver Market. Documentaries will be selected from East Silver Market submissions 2009. Selection committee will nominate 10 - 15 films in each category. Best films will be awarded by prize money of EUR 1 500 - Best Short Documentary / applicable for the films of up to 30 minutes / and Best 52' Documentary.
East Silver Eye winners will be announced at the 6th East Silver Market during the Closing ceremony of the XIII. Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival on October 31, 2009. East Silver opens at the XIII. Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival (Czech Republic, October 27 - November 1, 2009)
Contact: Miriam Šimková | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Best regards
Jan Hlubek
head of media communication
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