New Visions Forum Lineup Revealed at 30th Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival

New Visions Forum Highlights

The 30th Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival, a key meeting point for documentary professionals, has published the slate for its New Visions Forum. Twenty‑nine projects representing fifteen nations will be screened from October 28 to October 30. The selection provides filmmakers a platform to pitch ideas, secure financing, and find sales or distribution allies.

What the Forum Offers to Filmmakers

New Visions is more than a showcase; it is a market environment designed to foster collaboration across borders. Participants can:

• Present a concise pitch to an audience of producers, broadcasters and funders.
• Attend one‑on‑one meetings arranged by the festival’s networking team.
• Take part in workshops covering topics such as international co‑production treaties and digital distribution strategies.
• Gain visibility through the festival’s online catalogue, which is accessed by buyers worldwide.

Key International Partnerships

The forum’s schedule includes sessions with representatives from the European Documentary Network, the Czech Ministry of Culture, and several leading streaming platforms. These sessions are intended to clarify funding eligibility, explain regional co‑production rules, and outline market trends.

Geographic Diversity of the Selected Projects

The lineup reflects a broad geographic spread, with entries from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East. This variety underscores Ji.hlava’s reputation as an inclusive market that values different storytelling traditions.

1. Western Europe – projects from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
2. Eastern Europe – titles from Poland, Romania, Serbia and the Czech Republic.
3. Nordic region – documentaries from Sweden, Finland and Norway.
4. Asia – submissions from Japan, India and South Korea.
5. Africa – works from Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.
6. Latin America – pieces from Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.
7. Middle East – contributions from Iran and Lebanon.

Representative Themes

While the specific titles have not been disclosed, the festival’s curators have indicated that the projects cover a range of contemporary issues. Expected themes include climate change, migration, cultural heritage preservation, social justice movements, and the impact of digital technology on daily life.

Selection Criteria and Curatorial Process

Each project was evaluated by a panel of experienced documentary professionals. The criteria focused on originality, narrative strength, visual style, and the potential for international collaboration. According to the festival’s selection committee, the emphasis was placed on works that could benefit from co‑production agreements across multiple territories.

The selection process also considered the marketability of each project. Films with clear audience appeal, strong festival circuit potential, or those addressing timely global topics were given priority.

Opportunities for Co‑Production and Financing

Ji.hlava’s New Visions Forum is known for facilitating concrete deals. In previous editions, a significant percentage of pitched projects secured at least one co‑producer or a financing commitment during the market days. The festival’s partnership with the European Union’s Creative Europe programme often results in additional grant opportunities for qualifying projects.

Participants can also access the festival’s online matchmaking tool, which matches project needs with potential partners based on criteria such as budget size, genre, and target territories.

Successful Cases from Past Festivals

One notable example is the 2022 documentary "River of Dreams," which secured a French‑German co‑production agreement and later aired on a major European broadcaster. Another case involved a Kenyan environmental film that received a distribution deal with an Asian streaming service after a pitch at New Visions.

How to Attend the Forum

The festival welcomes industry professionals, journalists, and scholars to attend the market days. Registration is handled through the official Ji.hlava website, where attendees can select the meetings they wish to schedule. The fee structure includes a basic pass that grants access to screenings, networking events and the pitching sessions.

For those who cannot travel to the Czech Republic, a virtual attendance option is available. The online platform streams selected pitches and panel discussions, allowing remote participants to engage in real time.

Supporting the Documentary Ecosystem

Beyond the market, Ji.hlava serves as a catalyst for documentary culture in the region. The festival’s educational program includes masterclasses led by award‑winning directors, while its public screenings bring documentary storytelling to a broad audience.

The inclusion of a robust New Visions Forum demonstrates the festival’s commitment to nurturing both artistic vision and the business side of documentary filmmaking.

Official Resources

For detailed information on the forum schedule, registration and partner organizations, visit the official Ji.hlava website. Additional insight into European documentary funding can be found on the European Documentary Network portal. The Czech Ministry of Culture also provides guidelines on co‑production treaties at its government page.