EURODOC, the training programme for European producers of documentary film programme, holds its first session this year in Novi Sad at the Petrovaradin Fortress. This is the first time that the important international educational-business meeting for documentary film producers is held in Serbia. This year’s EURODOC gathered around 60 participants, not just from Europe, but from around the world, whose common goal is to develop international project together.
During the introduction to today’s programme, the guests were addressed by Ms Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the ‘Novi Sad 2021 -European Capital of Culture’ foundation and Manager of the Matica Srpska Gallery. The EURODOC participants were informed about rich history of Novi Sad, as well as the fact that Novi Sad is one of the most famous festival cities in the region, the city with numerous cultural institutions, and huge potential for work of numerous artists. Ms Palkovljević Bugarski presented the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ project through its programme concept ‘For New Bridges’, and announced that one of the most important tasks this year is to appoint the artistic director. The guests were also informed about the most important capital infrastructure projects that should be implemented as part of the preparation for the European Capital of Culture 2021, like the Youth Creative Polis, music-ballet school with a concert hall, and new footbridge on the Danube.
This year’s EURODOC session that is held in Novi Sad, European Capital of Culture 2021, is focused on the analysis of projects, and establishment of the best development guidelines in order to position these project globally. In addition to group work, there are individual meetings between participants and experts, while the joint focus in on issues of intellectual property, contractual relations, and sources of finance for development of film projects. During this large film workshop dedicated to production aspects, and their relation to author concepts, there are also two case studies – analyses of already realised coproductions. This time these are the following movies: Depth Two by Ognjen Glavonić, and Cain’s children by Marcell Gerö.
The efficient models of the EURODOC programme are based on meeting of and connecting producers and authors with experts from documentary sector of both European and third countries. For 18 years, EURODOC enables the participants/producers and authors three weeks of intense joint life and work in three sessions, through which they can acquire necessary knowledge for realisation and placement of future film projects.
The results of the EURODOC platform can be seen in the fact that, in average, more than 80% of the projects developed during this programme, in one year cycle, find funding. The EURODOC network, which is constantly growing, includes around 1,000 professionals from 59 countries who make documentary films.
Very successful and well-attended EURODOC workshop in Novi Sad was organised by the Wake Up Film production company.
The workshop was also supported by the Creative Europe Media, Centre national du cinéma et de l’ image animée, PROCIREP (Société des Producteurs de Cinéma et de Télévison), Film Center Serbia, Media Desk Serbia, DokSrbija, European Capital of Culture 2021, City of Novi Sad, Cultural Centre of Novi Sad, Museum of Contemporary Art of Vojvodina, and Matica Srpska Gallery. EURODOC would like to thank the Serbian Ministry of Culture and Information and ‘Five Stars’ distribution company.
