DokuTalks
DokuTalks brings together filmmakers, thinkers and audiences for urgent conversations about film and society.
Visual Conversations
DokuFest’s Visual Conversations bring audiences closer to the creative process, as filmmakers share the choices, methods and experiences behind their work.
Short Film Forum
A DokuFest platform supporting young filmmakers to develop, present and advance short film projects.
Forum Guest Country: Italy
DokuFest's partnership with the Italian Short Film Center welcomes Italy as the Forum's 2026 Guest Country, connecting Italian projects, filmmakers and archival cinema with Balkan producers, funds and decision-makers. This partnership is supported by Italian Embassy in Prishtina and Istituto Italiano di Cultura - Tirana.
Short Film Forum
The Rifts
Documentary / Bulgaria, Belgium
Director: Gogo Vanev
Producer: Félix Lambot, Nevena Semova
Production Company: Initial Films, Attic Films
Languages: Bulgarian, French
Estimated Duration: 18 Minutes
Current Stage Of Development: Pre-Production, Shooting
Synopsis:
When the thaw came, my grandfather, my mother and I returned to Bulgaria and reopened the house in Yarlovo, which had been uninhabited, freezing and dreary. In search of our roots, we rekindled the spirit of home. This winter, new cracks have appeared. In voice-over, we recall life as it was before we emigrated to Belgium. As our voices tell the story, together we bring the house back to life and mend the cracks and our emotions. In autumn, we winterise the house once more, our hearts full.
Director’s Biography:
Bulgarian-born, Belgium-based Gogo Vanev has directed independent shorts since 2017. He graduated in Cinematography in 2019 and Screenwriting in 2022. He has worked on several projects as DP and AC. He also worked as a writer for a belgian TV Series, Ghost Society. He directed Gadjé in 2025, his first Bulgarian-language short and was selected in various festivals (BSFF, Ramdam, Burgas, Academy Award Golden Rose for best short in Bulgaria, Short Film Market Picks in Clermont-Ferrand). The Rifts is his first documentary project, also to be shot in Bulgaria.
Producer’s Biography:
Initial Films was founded in 2021 by Félix Lambot. It is active in the production of films that reflect our society and the issues it faces. We focus on supporting authors in creating commited films where style and genre are treated with sensitivity.
Attic Films was founded by producer Nevena Semova in 2022. In just a few years, Attic Films has produced a number of award-winning fiction and documentary titles, including co-productions.
Support Sought From Short Film Forum:
Post-production funding, distribution, sales, festival premiere
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About
Based in Prizren and taking place during DokuFest, the Forum connects filmmakers and producers from the region with European film institutions, funds, broadcasters, markets, festivals, distributors, sales agents and potential co-producers.
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