With 32 thought-provoking films nominated for prestigious awards like the Jean-Loup Passek Award and the D. Quixote Prize, MDOC – Melgaço International Documentary Film Festival (MDOC) invites audiences to delve into a world in crisis and challenges to contemplate universal issues.
The Official Jury for this edition boasts an impressive lineup of industry professionals. Led by Andrea Slovákova, a renowned documentary filmmaker and dean of the Film and TV School of the Prague Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU), the jury also includes Maythem Ridha, an Iraqi director and photographer, Maria Luna Rassa, the artistic director of MIDBO (Bogotá International Documentary Festival), Paulo Cunha, a programmer and film teacher, and Waldir Xavier, an image editor and sound designer. These experts will critically evaluate the films and determine the winners of the esteemed awards.
The Jean-Loup Passek Award for Best Film Poster will be judged by a panel consisting of Mafalda Salgueiro, an artist, architect, and director; Marta Madureira, an illustrator and teacher, and Simone Saibene, a producer and director. Their expertise will ensure that the most outstanding film posters are duly recognized for their artistic merit.
As part of the Off Screen summer course, MDOC offers a unique opportunity to delve into autobiographical cinema. Coordinated by José da Silva Ribeiro, Alfonso Palazón Meseguer, and Manoela dos Anjos Afonso, this course reviews the state of the art and research projects in the Arts, Cinema, and the Humanities. Participants will gain insights into the power of personal narratives and their impact on the cinematic medium.
Under the guidance of Pedro Sena Nunes, the Frontal Shot film and photographic residencies will produce four captivating documentaries and three intriguing photographic projects that explore the territory of Melgaço. This initiative highlights the beauty and diversity of the region while fostering artistic expression and storytelling through the lens of both film and photography.
MDOC extends its reach beyond the festival by engaging with the municipality of Melgaço through projects like “Who are we here?” Organized by Álvaro Domingues and Daniel Maciel, this project, with the scientific monitoring of Albertino Gonçalves, encourages dialogue and understanding of the local community. Furthermore, the launch of books like Who Are We Here – Castro Laboreiro and Lamas de Mouro and Labuta (Toil) by João Gigante and the accompanying exhibition at the Parish’s Hall serve as platforms to celebrate and preserve the heritage of the region.
The festival also offers a platform for insightful discussions and masterclasses. X-RAYDOC, the Festival section coordinated by Jorge Campos, will feature Luís Mendonça leading a conversation/debate on Candid Eye, based on films by Wolf Koenig and Roman Kroitor. Maythem Ridha will guide a masterclass titled Tales from Iraq – the hybrid interface between reality and fiction, offering a unique perspective on storytelling techniques. Additionally, director Vítor Hugo Costa will challenge young filmmakers to explore the universe of cinema through film exercises using their mobile phones.
The Melgaço Museum of Cinema Jean-Loup Passek presents Images From a Golden Age: German Cinema From the 10’s to the 30’s, an exhibition showcasing original posters, photographs of films, and portraits of actresses from the prestigious UFA (Universum FilmAG). This exhibition provides a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal era in German cinema history.
For those unable to attend the festival, MDOC offers a special program called Hop to Melgaço on August 5th and 6th. This intensive program includes film screenings, engaging dialogues with directors, visits to exhibitions, and tours of the Museum of Cinema Jean-Loup Passek and the Espaço Memória e Fronteira Museum. It’s a condensed experience that allows participants to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of documentary filmmaking in Melgaço.
Films included across the MDOC programme include All That Breathes (dir. Shaunak Sen), Silent House (dir. Farnaz Jurabchian, Mohammadreza Jurabchian), The Visitors (dir.) , and more.
Find the complete programme for the 2023 MDOC – Melgaço International Documentary Film Festival – HERE
