Category Archives: Latest Updates

Latest Updates

Ex Oriente Film 2025: Mentoring Documentary Creatives

The 2025 edition of Ex Oriente Film kicks off in Sheffield this June, and I return as lead producer mentor.

Twelve selected creative documentary projects begin their development journey during this opening workshop, held in collaboration with Sheffield DocFest.

Alongside my mentorship role, I will present my lecture under the evolving title Shaping Destiny of the Film: The Director–Producer Pact, exploring the dynamics and nuances of collaborative authorship and decision-making in documentary practice.

Ex Oriente has been led by the International Documentary Institute in Prague for over two decades, and its commitment to shaping resilient creative structures and building lasting networks across borders and cultures resonates deeply with me.

I am honoured to work alongside their capable and collaborative team, the other lead mentors, and the guest mentors who enrich our perspective each year.

More about Sheffield DocFest, Ex Oriente.

Latest Updates

Join the VdR–Development Lab at Visions du Réel 2024

I’m heading to the Visions du Réel International Film Festival to co-lead the VdR–Development Lab, a program dedicated to the artistic and narrative development of documentary film projects.

For the second consecutive year, I’m also selecting the recipients of the No Nation Films Fellowship Awards. This collaboration between Visions du Réel International Film Festival and No Nation Films supports emerging filmmakers with a six month mentorship.

The festival runs from April 14–21, 2024. You can learn more about the VdR–Lab and the festival’s industry events on the official website: https://www.visionsdureel.ch/en/vdr-industry/.

Latest Updates

Mentoring Filmmakers: My March Journey Across Europe

This March is quite busy.

First stop will be at EuroDoc first session in Italy, where I am a guest tutor working with filmmakers in individual one-on-one sessions, before I head to Tallinn to join the Ice & Fire documentary workshop as a mentor, working alongside editor Anne Fabini and head of studies Mikael Opstrup with whom I share films that we collaborated on, and mentored alongside them in other international workshops.

This is the fifth edition of Ice & Fire which brings together early-stage documentary projects from Finland and Estonia, creating space for exchange and reflection on creative process.

Then I will head again to Prague for the closing session of Ex Oriente Film’s 2024–2025 edition, which I’ve been co-leading over the past year with a team of fellow mentors. The final session, held within the East Doc Platform, brings together filmmakers and industry peers to reflect on how each project has grown and shifted over time.

Latest Updates

Exploring Space and Belonging in Cinema: Opening 2025 Berlinale Talents

Sunday, February 16, at HAU1

Orwa Nyrabia – my producer and partner – and I, were invited to open Berlinale Talents with our reflections on our journey as duo filmmakers and creative partners in an open and candid conversation drawing from our latest REPUBLIC OF SILENCE.

We shared insights into our projects both internationally and regionally. We discussed our introspective and evolving sense of space and belonging, as well as the intersection of the personal and the political in cinema.

For more information about the event: Berlinale Talents 2025

Consultancy, Latest Updates

Exploring Self-Referential Cinema: Master’s International Film Program of EICTV in Cuba

I am honored to have been invited to lead a two-week intensive workshop at the Master’s International Film Program of EICTV in Cuba (January 20–31, 2025) focusing on Self-Referential Cinema.

Through watching and discussing films from around the different waves of personal filmmaking and with rigorous writing exercises, collaboration and filming exercises, this intensive workshop for future filmmakers helps unearth their unique voices, each exploring the boundaries of cinematic narratives and distinct individual narratives.

“The desire to communicate or connect—a people, a vision, a warning, or a history—lies at the core of filmmaking, and even more so in self-referential filmmaking.”

Happy to come again.

#DocumentaryFilm #SelfReferentialCinema #EICTV #FilmmakingWorkshop

Latest Updates

EURODOC 2024 in Lille!

I’m thrilled to join EURODOC as a guest mentor for the third and final module in Lille. Having previously participated in 2018, I know firsthand how inspiring this intensive program for creative documentary producers can be. The third module brings together an impressive range of filmmakers and a diverse palette of international industry professionals, fostering meaningful and productive exchanges. Working with participants from diverse backgrounds, I enjoyed diving deeply into each project, helping refine concepts, exploring next steps, and rekindling their passion and commitment to bring their work to fruition.

EURODOC is a comprehensive training program for creative documentary producers across Europe and beyond. Applications for the 2026 session are now open for everyone worldwide.

Learn more here.

Latest Updates

Ex Oriente Workshop 2024 at DOK Leipzig

After the first session in Varna, Bulgaria, it’s time to return for the second session of the Ex Oriente Workshop from October 26–30, 2024, held in collaboration with one of my favorite festivals, DOK Leipzig. 

I look forward to reuniting with the cohort and seeing their projects mature in preparation for the final session in March, where they’ll pitch at East Doc Platform.

Ex Oriente focuses on developing innovative documentary projects through rigorous training and invaluable peer exchange. It’s always inspiring to work with emerging filmmakers and witness their progress at each session.

Check more information here.

Latest Updates

Conclusion of Circle workshop: Module 02 in Novi Sad

I return to Novi Sad for the second module of the Circle Doc Accelerator, and this marks my fifth consecutive year with this inspiring program. After the first module, it’s invigorating to witness each filmmaker’s growth and see their unique cinematic styles and signatures emerge. Working alongside powerhouse filmmaker and mentor Yael Bitton continues to inspire me deeply, both as a filmmaker and as a woman.

CIRCLE is a unique international training program tailored for women and gender-expansive directors and producers working in documentary and fiction filmmaking.

For more information, check here.

Photo Courtesy Jovana Semiz.

Latest Updates

Three Years and Counting –  Docs by the Sea

My journey with Docs by the Sea continues this year for the third year! After an intense and insightful Virtual Lab throughout July, it’s time to hit the long road (a 24-hour trip!) to Bali for the in-person session.

In the Virtual Lab, we kickstarted the process, working alongside talented and renowned filmmakers like Salomé Jashi and S. Leo Chiang. Together, we guided all the participants in the Storytelling Lab. Each mentor is closely working with a group of participants, and my group includes four talented and passionate filmmakers from China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. They are developing either their first, second, or fourth feature documentaries, each rooted deeply in personal experiences.

I see my role to help these filmmakers rediscover their voices, reconnect with their projects, and ask the difficult, sometimes uncomfortable, questions. Together, we’ve been exploring how to better articulate their films cinematically and refine their unique film languages and then put all of this into words!

On September 7th and 8th, I’ll reunite with my fellow mentors and all the Story Lab participants in Bali. We’ll be reflecting on the growth and development that has happened since July, discussing newfound challenges, and continuing to nurture each project’s progress. Following that, we’ll dive into three days of immersive experiences as the participants from the Storytelling Lab, Producing Lab, and Editing Lab come together. This is where the filmmakers will present their now well-articulated and refined projects to representatives from the Asian and international film sectors. They’ll also receive invaluable feedback from experts who can help them take their work to the next level.

What I find incredible about Docs by the Sea is how it brings together a large community of Southeast Asian filmmakers. The space it creates allows for serendipity, inspiration, and meaningful encounters to happen – all of which are key to nurturing creative growth and forging new paths in storytelling.

Learn more: https://www.docsbythesea.org/dbts2024/.

Latest Updates

A Fantastic Collaboration with Filmmaker Biljana Tutorov

I’m thrilled to start a collaboration with the talented filmmaker Biljana Tutorov on her deeply personal first feature documentary, “A Symphony Interrupted” (working title) both as an editor and dramaturge.

We work at No Nation Films’ Atelier alongside our exceptional editing interns, Jin Ju Lee and Celine Jünger, to shape the film’s narrative. Together, we’re aiming to create a rough cut that truly resonates with Biljana’s vision and offers a captivating and worthy film experience for international audiences.

Editing is a demanding process, and I’m proud to support Biljana in bringing her powerful story to life.

#documentaryfilm #editing #dramaturgy #filmmaking #NNFatelier