Filmmakers from Central and Eastern Europe have two crucial Institute of Documentary Film opportunities to develop and present their documentary projects on an international stage as deadlines approach for the Ex Oriente Film Workshop 2025 and the Short Pitch Program at Millennium Docs Against Gravity.

The Ex Oriente Film Workshop, a highly regarded training initiative, is now accepting applications for its 2025 edition until 28 February. Designed for feature-length and documentary series projects, the workshop offers mentorship from industry experts across three intensive sessions throughout the year, culminating in presentations at the East Doc Platform. Alumni have premiered at major festivals such as #Berlinale, #Cannes, and #Sundance, with past projects including Rabbit à la Berlin and Over the Limit.

Meanwhile, the Short Pitch Program at Millennium Docs Against Gravity—one of the region’s premier platforms for short-form documentary projects—has a final application deadline of 16 February. Taking place on 10 May 2025 in Warsaw, the program is open to short documentaries (up to 25 minutes) in development or rough-cut stages. Five selected projects will be pitched to sales agents, distributors, and festival representatives, competing for prizes such as the East Silver Award (a year-long festival distribution service) and the DAE Pitch Talent Encouragement Prize (mentoring from an industry expert).

Both initiatives provide vital exposure, industry connections, and structured development for emerging and established documentary filmmakers. For more information and to apply, visit dokweb.net.