Documentary Projects from Eastern Europe Shine at CPH:Forum

This week, the CPH:DOX international documentary film festival hosted the CPH:Forum, where eight innovative film projects from Eastern Europe were showcased. The event emphasizes the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

A Platform for Emerging Filmmakers

The CPH:Forum serves as a crucial industry platform, allowing new filmmakers to present their works to key representatives in the documentary field, including organizations like Arte, IDFA, and the Whickers Fund. This year’s edition culminated in a six-month training program led by Change, a joint initiative between International Media Support (IMS), CPH:DOX, EAVE (the European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs), and the Danish Film School. This program aims to equip underrepresented filmmakers with the skills necessary to navigate the global market.

Thematic Diversity of Selected Projects

The selected projects this year delve into poignant themes such as war, national identity, patriarchy, and activism, with production budgets varying from €92,000 to €329,000.

Featured Projects

The following documentaries illustrate the rich storytelling and urgent issues facing the region:

• “Leave Easy Come Back Safe” (Belarus) by Sasha Kulak and Masha Maroz

  This film explores Belarusian identity through the lens of two young artists—one in exile and the other remaining in Belarus. With a focus on the cultural heritage of Polesia, it highlights the stories of a beekeeper, a healer, and a priest, interspersed with archival footage from the 1930s. Producer Julia Shaginurova remarked, “We aim to document and preserve the unique traditions and culture of the region.”

• “My Name Is Enough” (Armenia) by Ani Grigoryan and Marina Arzumanova

  This documentary addresses the issue of sex-selective abortions in a remote Armenian village, centering on Ashkhen, who anxiously awaits ultrasound results. Producer Ani Ordyan noted, “Hearing how many girls never had a chance to live makes us ask: ‘What if that were me?'”

• “Missing in Action” (Ukraine) by Marharyta Melnychuk and Kateryna Holovko

  The film follows Natalia, a former border guard on a quest to find her missing brother, who vanished during the conflict in Donetsk. Producer Aliona Kachkan stressed the broader context: “More than 60,000 people are missing in Ukraine, Natalia’s story is just one of thousands.”

• “Import/Export MD” (Moldova) by Max T. Ciorbă, produced by Sergiu Scobioala

  This work delves into Moldova’s healthcare challenges, where low wages force doctors abroad. Ciorbă stated, “We want to make a film that lets doctors tell their story and sheds light on the challenges they face.”

• “Whispers of Womanhood” (Georgia) by Rati Tsiteladze, produced by Olga Slusareva

  Focusing on the personal journey of Tsiteladze’s sister Dea, the film examines infertility, societal pressures toward motherhood, and the search for identity. Producer Olga Slusareva highlighted the film’s aim to give voice to women who suffer in silence.

• “Entr’actes” (Ukraine/Belgium) by Yuriy Shylov

  This documentary portrays a 73-year-old theater leader nurturing an amateur troupe amid wartime challenges, illustrating the resilience of creativity. Shylov commented, “For these characters, humor is a way to endure and resist violence.”

Future Steps and Market Engagement

The pitches will be followed by individual meetings between project teams and industry decision-makers in the coming days. Alice Burgin, head of industry at Visions du Réel, remarked on the importance of supporting such endeavors, highlighting how these projects tell crucial stories in challenging environments.

CPH:Forum, taking place in Copenhagen, concludes on March 27, providing a platform for these vital narratives to be heard and funded.