Institute of Documentary Film (IDF) has announced the programme framework for East Doc Platform 2026 (EDP), running 19–25 March 2026 at the French Institute in Prague, in cooperation with the One World International Human Rights Film Festival. The event is positioned as Central and Eastern Europe’s largest professional platform for documentary film and a meeting point for international co-production, financing, and distribution.

This year’s edition coincides with IDF’s 25th anniversary and adopts the theme «Afterimages», described by organisers as a focus on stories that continue to resonate after viewing. The official visual, created by Kateřina Janků, is designed as an optical «afterimage» exercise intended to encourage slower attention and a reflective viewing ritual.

EDP’s central industry programme includes the East Doc Forum pitching event (24 March, 9:00–13:20) for feature-length documentaries and factual series in development or early production, and the East Doc Market (23–25 March), featuring curated one-to-one meetings to support projects in development as well as rough cuts and completed films seeking partners, festivals, and distribution.

The platform also highlights an open programme for the public and emerging professionals, including «Czech Docs: Coming Soon» (23 March), the panel «Reaching the Next Generation: Distribution Strategies for Young Audiences» (19 March), and immersive VR screenings of 21-22 CHINA and Fresh Memories: The Look (21–24 March).

EDP 2026 will additionally host the third residential session of Ex Oriente Film, with confirmed tutors including Mila Turajlić, Igor Bezinović, Caroline Libresco, Anna Berthollet, and Paul Rieth. Industry pass accreditations are open at a listed price of €50, with a deadline of 5 March 2026.