BDC Discoveries is back with a new edition in 2026. The call for applications is now officially open! The Balkan Documentary Center (BDC) is a platform dedicated to supporting and developing documentary film related to the Balkan region, connecting filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals across borders.
BDC Discoveries is a key part of the wider Balkan Doc Market — an industry platform bringing together documentary professionals from the Balkans and beyond for pitching, co-production meetings, and professional development. We are proud to continue the BDC Discoveries programme and we are looking for documentary filmmakers who either come from the Balkans or work on a Balkan-related topic and would like to collaborate with the region. This year, we will blend our long-standing development for creative documentaries with additional focus on journalistic and investigative pieces, stemming from our newest program Balkan Watchers.
Thus, we are looking to select eight projects (4 creative documentaries and 4 investigative), which will be presented at our market event Balkan Documentary Market.
Click here to access the submission forms and detailed information on the programme.
Deadline for submission: 30 June 2026
BDC Discoveries 2026 is aimed at documentary projects in development with international potential. The programme selects two cohorts of projects:
BDC Discoveries 2026 takes place in two modules:
The workshop is fully conducted in English and proficiency in written and spoken English is obligatory.
Eligible to apply are filmmakers from EU countries, UK, Western Balkans, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey.
500 EUR
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About Balkan Documentary Center (BDC)
Founded in 2011 in Sofia, the Balkan Documentary Center (BDC) has been a leading force in the development of documentary filmmaking from the Balkans. Through its flagship programs, the BDC provides essential support at various stages of production: Docu Rough Cut Boutique in partnership with Sarajevo Film Festival offers filmmakers hands-on, expert-led workshops that focus on refining and strengthening documentary projects in their rough-cut phase; BDC Discoveries is dedicated to discovering and nurturing emerging talent from the region, providing selected filmmakers with year-round mentorship, industry networking, and access to co-production and funding opportunities; Balkan Watchers is a program supporting critical documentary and podcast projects that address pressing political and social issues in the Balkans, with a strong journalistic focus, providing financial support, mentorship, and industry exposure. Balkan Documentary Center is also behind the festival Sofia Documental.
BDC Discoveries open call
