After the resounding success of its inaugural edition, Balkan Documentary Centre, in collaboration with One World Romania, proudly reveals the selected projects for the second edition of its exciting initiative – Balkan Watchers: Media Program for Documentary Films and Podcasts.

Born from the desire to support and develop investigative and independent journalism in the Balkans, this project has quickly become a meeting point for storytellers who are determined to challenge established structures and traditional power dynamics, to provoke unconventional thinking, and thus – to reimagine the world around them.

This pioneering initiative strives to provide not just financial support, but also a flourishing environment for creativity and critical thinking, and to nurture truly powerful documentary films and insightful podcasts that amplify marginalized voices and uphold the values of transparency and democracy.

Spanning across borders and mediums, the 2025 edition of Balkan Watchers will continue with its dynamic three-part structure: The creative deep-dive held in Bucharest during the One World Romania festival in April will focus on intensive project development. The second online module in August will sharpen the participants’ pitching skills and will prepare the participants for presenting their projects. The program will culminate in Bulgaria during Sofia DocuMental in September where the selected projects will be pitched in front of a panel of industry professionals.

The initiative concludes with the selection and announcement of six award-winning projects — three documentaries and three podcasts.

Balkan Watchers is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA.

Statement from director of Balkan Watchers – Martichka Bozhilova:

Our team appreciates the strong interest in the 2025 edition of Balkan Watchers. The number of applications, as well as the thoughtful and original approaches taken by many creators, made the jury’s decision a challenging one. We value the opportunity to support filmmakers and podcast producers who choose to address complex and relevant topics that cross borders and engage with broader social questions.

We are grateful to everyone who submitted their work. We recognize the effort and commitment behind each project and appreciate your trust in sharing them with us. To the selected participants – we look forward to working with you—both in Bucharest and in Sofia.

After careful review, the selected projects are:

PODCASTS:

Cut Off the Pustcha
Director/Creator: Hanna Valynets
Producer: Alena Berkutava-Vakhrameyeva
Production Company: Greenbelarus.info
Country: Lithuania/Belarus

How Others See Us

Director: Orestis Seferoglou
Producer: Alex Katsomitros
Production Company: Liquid Media
Country: Greece

It’s not fatal
Director/Creator: Marina Vasileva
Producer: Nikolay Dubrovsky
Production Company: It’s not fatal
Country: Netherlands, Serbia

Not Supposed to Fight
Director/Creator: Gevorg Harutyunyan
Producer: Gevorg Harutyunyan
Country: Armenia

Podcast Beat
Director/Creator: Mario Gaćina
Producer: Beatta Ugrin
Production Company: Sveučilište VERN’
Country: Croatia

The Untold Stories from Armenia-Georgia Border
Director/Creator: Marlena Hovsepyan
Producer: Gita Elibekyan
Country: Armenia, Georgia
Production Company: AliQ Media
Co-producer: Marlena Hovsepyan

Too Much Tired, One Story of Mirgation at a Time
Director/Creator: Iulia Hau
Producer: Iulia Hau
Country: Romania

DOCUMENTARY FILMS:

Currents of Life and Death
Director: Emma Strauss
Producer: Emma Strauss
Country: Ukraine, Hungary
Production Company: Oblique Collective GbR

Eyes Wide Open
Director/Creator: SOPHO APRIAMASHVILI
Producer: Nino Orjonikidze
Production Company: CHAI DOCS
Country: Georgia

Fakel (Torch)
Director: Maryna Tkachuk
Producer: Anna Palenchuk
Country: Ukraine
Production Company: 435 FILMS

Forgotten Echoes
Director: Parvana Guliyeva
Producer: Parvana Guliyeva
Production Company: SofiProduction company
Production country: Azerbaijan

From Radvanka
Director/Creator: Tomi Hazhlinsky
Producers: Valeria Sochyvets, Sabina Asadova
Production Company: Contemporary Ukrainian Cinema
Country: Ukraine

Missing in Action
Director: Marharyta Melnychuk, Kateryna Holovko
Producer: Aliona Kachkan
Country: Ukraine
Production Company: TABOR LTD

Romania vs Romania

Director/Creator: Anelise Salan
Producer: Roxana Ardelean
Production Company: The L Studio Film
Country: Romania

The War of Symbols

Director/Creator: Nenad Mikalacki
Producer: Nead Mikalacki and Jelwna Marjanovic
Production Company: Druid
Country: Serbia

What You Remember
Director/Producer: Pauline Blanchet
Creative Producer: Ljubomir Stefanov
Co-Producers: Cyril Cadars & Laura Briand
Production Company: Apolo Media, Aral Sea Productions, Vestapol
Country: North Macedonia, UK, France

Whispers of Womanhood
Director: Rati Tsiteladze
Producer: Olga Slusareva
Country: Georgia
Production Company: ArtWay Film