A training programme aimed at women directors in South East Europe, Circle Women Doc Accelerator, has launched a call for candidates. The programme was first tried out in 2017 at Montenegro’s international film festival, the Underhill Fest. Then called RAD, it was an intensive training programme offered by audiovisual professionals and intended for women directors from the region who were working on a feature documentary project.
The following year the programme was developed as Circle Women Accelerator, focussing particularly on projects with international potential. It consisted of three four-day modules: the first in June during the Underhill Fest in Podgorica (Montenegro), the second in August in Nivo Sad (Serbia) and the third in October during the DOK Leipzig festival (Germany). Organized by two Serbian companies, Wake Up Films and PulsArt, in partnership with the Underhill Fest, Circle accompanied 8 projects in 2018. The directors were Greek, Serbian, Romanian and Croatian.
This year’s programme is similar to last year’s: analysis and development of projects with film professionals. During the final module, which will take place at the DOK Co-Pro Market in Leipzig, participants will present their projects to potential buyers and broadcasters from around the world. The programme is conceived as a collaborative platform, meaning the organizers want it to exist beyond the three modules through the links made between the participants.
The project has been developed in partnership with EWA, the European Women’s Audiovisual Network, and EDN, the European Documentary Network. It is supported by the Montenegro Film Centre, the Serbian Film Centre and Serbia’s Ministry of Culture and Information.
The application deadline is January 31st. More information here.
Sources: https://www.kulturpunkt.hr , https://cineuropa.org/ , https://www.havc.hr
