The 2024 MakeCoProDox Forum returns for its sixth edition from 19 to 21 August. This year’s forum, hosted at the Youth Cultural Center in Skopje, is set to deepen the region’s co-production efforts, foster strategic alliances among Balkan filmmakers, and explore new opportunities through international partnerships.
Emerging from the growing need to support documentary film production in the Balkans, the MakeCoProDox Forum has established itself as a critical platform for regional collaboration. Representatives from Balkan film centres, documentary industry professionals, and ten selected documentary projects will gather to explore innovative co-production opportunities and share insights into overcoming regional production obstacles.
A highlight of this year’s program is the continued emphasis on the archival materials that have become a focal point of documentary storytelling in the Balkans. The «Archives Imagined» workshop will be a prelude to the main forum. Guided by mentors Kumjana Novakova and Vlad Petri, this workshop will challenge participants to reconceptualise the role of archives in their films, pushing the boundaries of traditional documentary narratives.
The forum will also feature a series of masterclasses and panel discussions led by esteemed industry professionals. Notable sessions include a masterclass with celebrated Macedonian director Stole Popov, where he will reflect on his distinguished career and the evolution of documentary filmmaking in the region. Another critical session, moderated by Helle Hansen, will examine the impact of co-production treaties, such as the 2021 agreement between North Macedonia and France, on the regional documentary landscape.
The MakeCoProDox Pitching Forum, scheduled for 20 August, will offer ten selected projects the opportunity to present their works-in-progress to a panel of international producers, distributors, and festival representatives. This competitive forum, followed by one-on-one meetings, is designed to help filmmakers secure the necessary support to bring their documentaries to fruition.
As the forum culminates on 21 August with consultations on festival strategies and distribution, MakeCoProDox 2024 promises to be more than just a networking event.
