MDAG Industry. A space for the development of the documentary industry

MDAG Industry project is a unique film industry event that connects Polish filmmakers with foreign festival representatives, distributors, producers, sales agents and contemporary cinema stars. We started in 2021 with a single event, from 2022 we are creating an expanded module of industry events under the banner of MDAG Industry. The MDAG Industry program is being developed in response to the current needs of the audiovisual market, following trends, staying ahead of changes in the market and not being indifferent to innovation.

The Industry section is organised in cooperation with CANAL+ Poland.

The section is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.

MDAG Industry partners: Audioteka, Polish Filmmakers Association, SMAKJAM, Soundmind, National Museum of Ethnography, Polish Producers Alliance, Institute of Documentary Film, Andrzej Wajda Centre For Film Culture, Papaya Films, Pitch The Doc, Filmmakers’ Trade Union, Mazovia Warsaw Film Commission

For more details, please visit the Industry section on the festival website – mdag.pl

THURSDAY, 9.05

5th Documentary Film Forum for Young Audiences

We invite everyone supporting the idea of Polish documentary film for young audiences – filmmakers, producers, distributors, educators, teachers, and parents – to participate in the Forum. We will talk about the idea behind the Jump In the Doc programme. Why is it worth creating and financing Polish children’s documentaries? We will discuss what it looks like from the perspective of the Netherlands and the IDFA festival. The event's highlight will be the pitches of eight projects from the fourth edition of the programme. The best ones will be awarded prizes by our partners. The Forum offers an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and build a support network for the Polish children's documentary industry.

Organiser: Andrzej Wajda Centre For Film Culture

Partners: Millennium Docs Against Gravity,  Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, KBF (Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe), Krakow Film Commission, Władysław Ślesicki Film Foundation, Polish Producers Alliance, Dziki Bez Association

The project is co-financed by the City of Warsaw

FRIDAY 10.05

Progress Pitching Session 

An event dedicated to visually interesting, creative documentary projects with international potential. It is an excellent chance to discover films which are looking for international co-production or distribution opportunities in their different phases, from concept to post-production. Selected finalists will present their projects to leading Polish and international film industry representatives: producers, investors, sales agents, distributors and festival programmers. The pitching aims to leverage the festival guests' expertise and create a place where world-class projects are born.

Organiser: Against Gravity

Partner: CANAL+ Poland, Polish Filmmakers Association, SMAKJAM, Pitch the Doc

Moderator: Ola Salwa

Projects: 

CANDIDATES OF DEATH, dir. Maciej Cuske

LIGHT IN THE DARK, dir. Alina Aleksandrova, Tadeusz Chudy

FRONTLINE, dir. Alisa Kovalenko

MY SUNNYSIDE, dir. Matylda Kawka

MY FATHER, THE ICEMAN, dir. Łukasz Kowalski

SUGARLAND, dir. Julia Groszek

DEKONSTRUKT, dir. Mateusz Góra, Kamil Wilk

LEONARD COHEN: BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN, dir. Eric Bednarski

BAŁTYK, dir. Iga Lis

BIRDIE, dir. Aneta Ptak

Awards:

CANAL+ Poland - Cash prize of 3,000 euros

Polish Filmmakers Association - cash award of PLN 10,000

SMAKJAM - color-correction service worth PLN 15,000 

SOUNDMIND - sound post-production service worth PLN 10,000

Tutors: Kim Christiansen (DR Sales), Martijn J. te Pas

THE AUTHENTIC NOW  - Niels Pagh Andersen Masterclass

Prelegent: Niels Pagh Andersen

The digital revolution has produced a new reality. Documentary film’s strength has always been built upon the viewer’s experience feeling “true” and a sense that what happens on the screen are moments taken from reality. The big question is, what does the digital age mean for documentary film? Do documentary films have legitimacy in a time when, to a greater and greater degree, we experience the world as a construct? And where all of us are creating visual narrative about ourselves on social media. 

This mirrored world has created a longing in modern people for authenticity. We long for genuine moments, for the Authentic Now. 

The Danish Film editor Niels Pagh Andersen will in his Masterclass, with the examples from his own work, try to understand the new challenges documentary films are facing.

SATURDAY 11.05

Pole Position – Pitching Session

Join us for an experimental pitching of Polish films that are already completed and included in the program of the 21. Millennium Docs Against Gravity. The short presentations will encourage foreign guests to watch the film and include it in their festival programme, or distribution. This is a unique opportunity for filmmakers to attract the best industry professionals.

Organiser: Against Gravity

Moderator: Marcin Radomski

Where’s the Market for Documentaries? Masterclass with Esther van Messel.

The masterclass with Esther van Messel, an expert on the international audiovisual market, aims to prepare Polish documentary producers for establishing international business relations and promotion. The masterclass will focus on discussing successful festival and sales strategies for documentary projects, looking at effective PR plans, and trying to identify the place of documentaries in the global audiovisual market.

Organiser: KIPA (Polish Producers Alliance)

Speaker: Esther van Messel (First Hand Films)

SUNDAY 12.05
IDF DAY

Short Pitch Program 

The pitch presentation in the form of a short, 10 minute presentation for each of 5 short films in rough-cut stage, which will be followed by the individual meetings between participants and the decision makers consisting of sales, buyers and festival representatives. The event will include consultations with experts prior to the pitch, in order to improve their presentation skills and update the project pitch decks for the specific audience of decision makers.

Organiser: Institute of Documentary Film 

Partner: DAE, Millennium Docs Against Gravity

Moderator: Anna Stylińska

Awards: 

Silver Eye Award for short documentary to support directors with innovative approach, authors of films that create social impact, filmmakers who have the courage to open discussion on serious topics, and creators offering unique points of view. The winner receives a trophy award, a cash prize of 1 500 €, and a year-long festival distribution service at East Silver Caravan.

DAE Pitch Talent Encouragement Prize

Documentary Association of Europe is bringing the DAE Pitch Talent Encouragement Prize to the East Doc Platform. The award consists of bespoke mentoring with a DAE member, depending on the needs of the project team. 

How to navigate success of a short film? The Journey to Success of Mariia Ponomarová's Short Film “Three Windows On South West”

In this case study, we delve into the remarkable journey of the experimental documentary short film ‘Three Windows On South West’, crafted by the talented filmmaker Mariia Ponomarova. We'll explore how the concept of this film evolved from its initial inception to the final film that found its audiences worldwide. The story will take us through the phases of collaboration with distribution parties and festivals, where Mariia Ponomarova encountered key figures in the industry. This collaboration brought essential support for finding the right places that would support the project and created a strong platform for its success on the international festival circuit. We'll examine how various strategic collaborations shaped the journey of ‘Three Windows On South West’ and how Mariia approached it, navigating it both as a director and producer.

Organiser: Institute of Documentary Film

Speaker: Mariia Ponomarova

The US Documentary Film Industry In a Nutshell

What films are American programmers interested in? What are they looking for in Central and Eastern European documentaries? Is there a potential for distribution of our films on the US market? Eric Hynes of the American Museum of Moving Image will answer these questions. 

Speaker: Eric Hynes

MONDAY 13.05

KIPA Breakfast

KIPA Breakfast is an initiative launched in cooperation with the Polish Producers Alliance and their Young Producers Section. It offers an opportunity to network and meet representatives of leading film organisations, production companies, sales and distribution specialists as well as creators.

Organiser: KIPA (Polish Producers Alliance)

How to Distribute Documentaries In Cinemas?

Is it possible to make a profit from the cinema distribution of documentaries? What films do audiences want to watch? How do we measure success? We will answer these and many other questions, analysing the most successful film releases of recent years such as “Simona” or “Scandal”.

Organiser: The Polish Producers Alliance (KIPA)

Speakers: Maciej Ostatek, Karol Piekarczyk 

Moderator: Małgorzata Prociak

Working Conditions On Documentary Film Sets

The discussion will examine the working conditions in documentary filmmaking. The event aims to discuss challenges and perspectives for professionals working in this field and seek solutions to improve the quality of work and employment conditions.During the discussion, experts from the film industry, people working on documentaries, and representatives of workers' rights organisations will share their experiences and reflections on issues related to work ethics, working hours, safety on set as well as prospects for professional development in the field.

Organiser: Związek Zawodowy Filmowców (Filmmakers’ Trade Union)

Moderator: Agnieszka Olejnik

Speakers: Zofia Moruś, Zofia Goraj, Sambor Wilk
 

Sports Documentaries Are Not About Sports. How to Make Films That Will Appeal Not Only To Fans?

Sports documentaries have gained massive popularity in recent months, becoming an attractive format for filmmakers, streaming platforms, as well as brands and brand managers. How do you tell a story that reaches beyond stadiums, courts and arenas? During the discussion, we will explore the recipe for an engaging, universal and stirring sports documentary.

Organiser: Papaya Films