Networking, Promoting, Distributing: perspectives in EU (2024)
The fifth thematic seminar of DocNomads Academy was held at the conference hall of Premier Kultcafé in Budapest under the overarching topic “Networking, Promoting, Distributing: perspectives in Europe”.
The seminar started with a lecture of Peter Jaeger, an experienced sales agent, and Creative Europe expert, founder of Autlook Filmsales and Jaeger Creative focusing on innovative distribution, financing and marketing solutions for films and series. Guest participants Veronika Dvořáčková, Sofia Tocar and Ivana Formanová presented the various support initiatives promoted by IDF – Institute of Documentary Film (Prague, CZ) with the analysis of case studies from the testimonies of director Botond Püsök and also former or current students in DocNomads with film projects supported by IDF, such as Anna Gyimesi, Marta Smerechynska, Ana Barjadze. The seminar closed with the Documentary Association of Europe (DAE) mission and initiatives, presented by its Chair and co-founder Julianna Ugrin, also a nominated producer of the European Film Academy, and president of the Hungarian Documentary Association (MADOKE).
9 FEBRUARY, FRIDAY
PREMIER KULTCAFE, CONFERENCE HALL
Moderator: PÉTER KEREKES
13:00-14:30 – Lecture by PETER JAEGER
Summary:
These days many different statements are made concerning the documentary universe: “The golden age of documentary is over”, “Since the pandemic arthouse documentary distribution is in crisis”, “Streamers are not buying any more”, “Broadcasters are financing less and less”, …
We look at the future & the past of documentary distribution! What has really changed and what is still to come for documentaries?
We even try to find solutions through innovative marketing & distribution.
After studying law & philosophy, Peter Jaeger started as Sales & Marketing Director of a film magazine.
He moved on to become Marketing & Acquisitions Director for renowned theatrical distributors in the Benelux, releasing over 100 films like Mulholland Drive, Festen, and The Lord Of The Rings trilogy.
In 2004 Peter moved to Vienna to start Autlook Filmsales, creating one of the world’s leading sales agents for creative docs.
In 2015 he created – Jaeger Creative – focusing on Dramaturgy, innovative distribution, financing & marketing solutions for films & series.
Peter is also a Lecturer & Professor at different film schools like Vienna Film Academy, a jury member of the Flemish & Vienna Film Fund, and a Creative Europe expert.
15:00-18:00 – A series of talks about IDF – Institute of Documentary Film initiatives presented by VERONIKA FIDRMUC DVOŘÁČKOVÁ, SOFIA TOCAR and IVANA FORMANOVÁ
Summary:
The Ex Oriente Film training program presented with a short case study on the film “Too Close” (Ex Oriente Film project 2019/2020) with the participation of its director Botond Püsök.
The dynamic market activities of East Silver, featuring insights into the East Silver Market and Short Pitching programs, with the testimonies of Marta Smerechynska (DN11) and Ana Barjadze (DN12).
The festival distribution program East Silver Caravan presented with a short case study on the short film “Falling” with the participation of its director Anna Gyimesi (DN8).
Presentation of the alternative distribution network KineDok and films shaping this unique program.
The Institute of Documentary Film (IDF) is a key institution for the promotion of documentary films from Central and Eastern Europe. It is the umbrella for several activities that systematically and over the long-term help to ensure that as many quality documentary films as possible are produced in the region, with an emphasis on the Czech Republic, and that these films have the potential to reach an international audience and be disseminated as widely as possible. In order to achieve these goals, the IDF’s activities are divided into several sub-projects to cover all areas of documentary filmmaking. Through the Ex Oriente Film training program, it facilitates the creative development of documentary projects developed by producer-director teams with the ambition to break into the international market, and through the East Doc Platform initiative, which itself is divided into several sub-initiatives, it supports the promotion and establishment of financial partnerships for documentary projects during the largest industry events in the CEE region (East Doc Forum and East Doc Market), by organizing an annual market for documentary films from the region (East Silver), supporting the screening of these films at international festivals (East Silver Caravan), and then developing an innovative project to disseminate these films to audiences through event and site-specific screenings in cooperation with seven European countries and a network of more than 200 screening venues (KineDok project).
VERONIKA FIDRMUC DVOŘÁČKOVÁ
East Silver Project Manager
Veronika is in charge of the East Silver, managing both the East Silver Market and the East Silver Caravan.
She supervises and inspires the team to create new opportunities to support the circulation of film production within the CEE region.
SOFIA TOCAR
East Silver Caravan Coordinator
Sofia is responsible for the East Silver Caravan festival service that has been creating the festival strategy and submitting the most significant documentary short and feature films from the CEE region to more than 400 international film festivals and markets.
IVANA FORMANOVÁ
KineDok Project Manager
Ivana is the manager of the international project KineDok, focused on screening of creative documentary films at non-traditional venues within eight countries. Ivana participates in the selection of films for the project catalogue and coordinates the communication with the filmmakers and distributors. In cooperation with the international partners, he works on building a stable distribution platform that enables the filmmakers to present their documentaries to the audiences in an alternative, more friendly way.
18:00-19:00 – Presentation of the Documentary Association of Europe (DAE) mission, objectives, and initiatives, by JULIANNA UGRIN
Summary:
Documentary Association of Europe (DAE) is a member’s organization for everyone working in the documentary profession inside and outside of Europe. It acts and advocates for all its members.
DAE has more than 650 members from 63 countries, individuals and institutions. The majority of them are producers, but also organizations such as IDFA have been our partners from the very beginning.
Membership grants access to major discounts to markets and festivals (Marché du film, EFM, IDFA, DOK Leipzig, Sheffield Doc Fest, Sunny Side of the Doc), members-only stands, dedicated meeting spaces, exclusive meet-up and programming at these events. It also gives access to special online sessions with experienced professionals, access to the festival calendar, and space for special consultations. DAE’s three pillars are Community and Collaboration, Opportunity and Knowledge, Lobbying and Advocacy.
Julianna Ugrin is a founder of the Documentary Association of Europe (DAE) and the current chair of the board.
She is also a nominated producer of the European Film Academy, an EURODOC, and an EAVE graduate, founder, and president of the Hungarian Documentary Association (MADOKE).
Her production company Éclipse Film focuses on creative documentaries for the Hungarian and international market. Films produced by her like A Woman Captured, Easy Lessons, or The Next Guardian were screened, nominated, and awarded at festivals like Sundance, IDFA, Locarno, Hot Docs, or Sheffield.
In 2019 she was selected to Producers on the Move in Cannes. Julianna is fascinated by the magic of real life which drives her to produce high-quality documentary films. Holy Dilemma was her first film as producer and director.
