On Saturday, June 1, the 1st session of the Ex Oriente Feature Docs program kicked off in Varna, Bulgaria. The 1st session of the Ex Oriente Series program will start in a few weeks at La Rochelle. Supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, and the Czech Film Fund, this year's documentary laboratory brings several exciting updates.
“At Ex Oriente Film, we are committed to supporting the best creative documentary projects and talents from Central and Eastern Europe. To stay ahead in the dynamic and ever-changing market, we adapt to current trends in storytelling, support the AV industry and appreciate the technological developments. We were the first training with program focused on developing docuseries projects, and we are implementing further innovations to our program with a focus on Interactive storytelling. Collaboration and partnerships with relevant players are also essential for us. As well as the workshop team. We are thrilled to announce that this year alongside our leading tutors Ivana Pauerová Miloševičová, Filip Remunda and Ikka Vehkalahti renowned and experienced producer Christian Popp will be shaping the program for producers at the 2nd sessions and award-winning documentary filmmaker whose cinematic engagement extends beyond the big screen - Diana El Jeiroudi is our new leading tutor,” says Anna Kaslová, Ex Oriente Film & East Doc Forum Manager.
Diana El Jeiroudi
In 2007 Diana co-founded DOX BOX as an international film festival and campus in Syria. In 2014, she reimagined DOX BOX as a support association in Germany, where she relocated. Devoted to the creative process, Diana is a returning mentor at Berlinale Talents, The Circle, and Docs by the Sea among other film labs and is a lifelong member of esteemed international film academies such as AMPAS, Deutsche Filmakademie, IDA, DOX BOX e.V., APSA and DAE, where she's also a member of the Advisory Board. Diana is currently the CEO of No Nation Films.
Her films are personal narratives navigating the intricacies of sociopolitical realities that resonate beyond specific contexts. Her latest film, "REPUBLIC OF SILENCE," (La Biennale di Venezia 2021) was released in cinemas to critical acclaim. Over two decades, Diana has also produced and co-produced notable films including "5 SEASONS OF REVOLUTION'' (Sundance), "NOTTURNO" (Venice), and "EAU ARGENTÉE" (Cannes).
Ex Oriente Feature Docs Guest Tutors
Among guest tutors who will be joining us are for example recipient of two BAFTAs, two Emmys a Human Rights Press Award and more Jordan Bryon, an award-winning documentary film editor, writer, story consultant, director and a member of the Oscars Academy Yaël Bitton or a producer who’s author-driven films have been selected and awarded at festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, IDFA, Toronto, Sundance, Tribeca, Pusan and broadcast all over the world Martichka Bozhilova. At the 1st session in Varna, we’ll also be joined by Tonislav Hristov, Aida Begić, Jan Gogola and Siniša Juričić.
2nd year of the Ex Oriente Series program
At the end of June during the Sunny Side of the Doc festival, we’ll hold the 1st session of the Ex Oriente Series. Joining us will be our leading tutor of the series program creative producer Ruth Reid. She’ll be working with 5 selected docuseries projects alongside guest tutors Chris Westendorp, Catherine Chevassu, Malin Hüber and Samuel Joyce.
For an overview of all Ex Oriente Film 2024 tutors click HERE (the list will be updated throughout the year).
Projects
The participating 12 feature-length projects and 5 docuseries projects in the development and early production stage challenge genres, formats, and media boundaries. All have a strong international potential and cover various relevant and important topics. This year’s selection includes projects from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Georgia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine.
The complete list of participating projects is HERE.
Ex Oriente Film 2024 is organised in cooperation and partnership with:
Agitprop
Sunny Side of the Doc
DOK Leipzig
One World IHRFF
The partnerships enable us to create networking possibilities and knowledge exchange available to our participants. The Central and Eastern European producers and directors, who attend the partner’s events, take advantage of benefits created by the partnership such as discounted or waived fees, accreditations to the essential industry spaces and networking events.
Ex Oriente Film 2024 timeline
Ex Oriente Features
1st session: June 1-6, 2024: Varna, Bulgaria
2nd session: October 26-30, 2024: DOK Leipzig, Germany
3rd session: March 2025: East Doc Platform, Prague, Czechia
Ex Oriente Series
1st session: June 23-25, 2024: Sunny Side of the Doc, La Rochelle, France
2nd session: October 28-30, 2024: DOK Leipzig, Germany
3rd session: March 2025: East Doc Platform, Prague, Czechia
