The 2024 edition of the BDC Discoveries program, aimed at fostering documentary filmmakers with Balkan-related projects, concluded its three-phase workshop with pitching sessions held in Leipzig, Belgrade and Sofia. Designed to support projects with international potential, the program featured intriguing lectures from acclaimed professionals, hands-on workshops, and individual project development. Participants had the opportunity to connect with a wide network of partners and funders across the audiovisual sector, gaining visibility and credibility for their projects. Seven selected projects were pitched to key industry professionals, with awards and recognition highlighting their potential for international success by an appointed international jury.

Balkan Documentary Center – Discoveries Winners:

The Best Pitch Award by the State Institute of Culture goes to DEATH CAFE

Director: Mariana Sabeva
Producer: Vanya Rainova
Production Company: Portokal Ltd
Country: Bulgaria

‘Human beings are funny creatures. Although death is a fact of every life and universally connects all people, it is also a topic that is rarely, if ever, talked about – we are all too happy to suppress our finiteness and transience. The film, which was awarded the Best Discovery Award for best pitch, sets itself the task of welcoming death with humour and vulnerability in order to reflect on life. The award goes to DEATH CAFE, directed by Mariana Sabeva and produced by Vanya Rainova.’

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The Lightdox Award goes to STEP INTO THE COMFORT ZONE

Director: Yuriy Dvizhon
Producer: Olesya Lukyanenko
DOP: Ivan Fomychenko
Editor: Ihor Kosenko
Production Company: Bulava Production
Co-producer: Labyrint Film (The Netherlands)
Country: Ukraine

‘We are delighted to support this powerful and heartfelt documentary project for its bold portrayal of love, resilience, and the courage to challenge social norms. Through the deeply personal journey of two charismatic women from Kazakhstan and Ukraine, the film illuminates the universal struggle for equality, transcending borders and prejudices. The project stands as a testament to the transformative power of love and the ongoing quest for human dignity, says’ Anna Berthollet, CEO of Lightdox Sales.

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The Raina Consultancy Award goes to the project Childless

Directors: Maria Stanisheva, Ruxandra Gubernat
Producers: Maria Stanisheva, Ruxandra Gubernat

Production company: ANIMADOCS (Bulgaria), RGR Productions (Romania)
Country: Bulgaria/Romania

‘Raina Film Festival Distribution  wants to give a spontaneous additional award to a project which is personal, moving and has tremendous global potential once developed further. The Raina award consists of 3 consultancy sessions either on story development, rough cut Feedback or festival strategy.’

The jury of BDC Discoveries consisted of Robert Zuber (pitching mentor and moderator), Simone Baumann (Managing director, German Films), Anna Berthollet (Sales agent, Lightdox), Marcella Jelic (Sales agent, Splitscreen), Patrizia Mancini (Head of Industry, Sheffield Docs), Inka Achté (Head of Program, DocPoint Helsinki), Snezhana Yoveva (Director, State Institute for Culture) Susanne Mertens (Commissioning editor, ZDF/ARTE), Dietmar Schwärzler (Sales agent, Sixpack Films).