The 15th edition of the #MakeDox Creative Documentary Film Festival will illuminate Skopje from 15 to 22 August under the evocative theme «Digging through Time.» This year, the festival delves deep into the archives, exploring the vital role of archival material in documentary filmmaking. With a robust program of 92 films spanning multiple categories, MakeDox 2024 is a testament to the enduring power of the documentary as a vessel for memory, history, and cultural preservation.

The festival’s opening will feature the Iranian-British documentary Celluloid Underground, directed by Ehsan Khoshbakht. This year’s focus on archival footage resonates with the festival’s dedication to uncovering and revitalizing forgotten or overlooked narratives. The screenings will take place across five iconic venues in Skopje, including the Kurshumli An and the Museum of Macedonia, each providing a unique backdrop for the films on offer.

The program is notably enriched by its emphasis on Balkan cinema. With the inclusion of archival films from the 1960s and 1970s, audiences will have the rare opportunity to witness the restoration and digitisation efforts that are crucial to preserving these cinematic treasures. Among the notable titles featured are Bojan Tanturovski’s Garden, Hollywoodgate, edited by Atanas Georgiev, and Silence of Reason, an award-winning piece at #IceDocs. The program also includes Dahomey by Mati Diop, a film that earned accolades at the Berlinale, and Viktor Kosakovski’s Architecton.

The festival will also feature the MakeKoProDox Forum, where industry professionals will engage in masterclasses and workshops. These sessions, focusing on archival practices and the art of documentary filmmaking.

As the festival culminates with the closing film The Walk by Tamara Kotevska, MakeDox 2024 promises to be a profound exploration of how the past continues to inform and shape our present through the lens of documentary cinema.