DokuTalks

Who Helps a Short Film Travel?

Communication, Co-Productions and the Networks Behind a Film’s Journey

A short film rarely travels on the strength of the film alone. It also needs a team that can communicate its vision, partners who understand what the project needs, and networks that can connect it to the right opportunities.

The conversation begins with Who Is Singing?, the winning project of last year’s Short Film Forum. After Prizren, the team presented the project at ShorTO in Turin, found a Croatian co-producer, and later secured funding in both Kosovo and Croatia.

From there, the panel will look at the practical decisions behind a film’s journey. How should directors and producers communicate? When does a co-production bring real value? What do festivals, markets and sales agents look for, and how can filmmakers build relationships that continue beyond the first pitch?

This DokuTalk is part of DokuFest’s Short Film Forum and is designed especially for emerging filmmakers and producers. It offers a closer look at the parts of the industry that aren’t always explained clearly: how introductions happen, how trust is built, and what can help a promising project find its way forward.

Moderated by:
Jing Haase - Curator, short film expert and co-manager of the DokuFest Short Film Forum, with more than two decades of experience in programming, markets and international film distribution.

Panelists:

Sonja Henrici - International producer and founder of Sonja Henrici Creates, and former co-director of the Scottish Documentary Institute, with extensive experience in production, co-production and distribution.

Yun-Hua Chen - Film scholar, critic and curator who serves on the selection committees of Berlinale Shorts, Berlinale Forum and DokuFest.

Florian Fernandez - Head of the Short Film Corner | Rendez-vous Industry at the Festival de Cannes, where he develops initiatives connecting emerging filmmakers with the international industry.

Wouter Jansen - Founder and director of Square Eyes, a sales and festival distribution agency representing distinctive short films and features on the international circuit.

Admission is free. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.