In looking outside of the US, we tried to look for festivals that had the same combination of possible market potential and positive filmmaker experience. Yet, there's another challenge - they need to actually show docs, and since we're coming from a mostly North American perspective, it would help if they showed some American work. A few great festivals - Locarno, Nyon both come to mind - may only include a single US title (or less). One of the festivals that we included on this list - Pusan - only included a couple.
All that as introduction, here are 9 fests that we are actively watching and paying attention to:
AmFest Moscow
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: OCTOBER COUNTRY, RACING DREAMS, ROMAN POLANSKI: WANTED AND DESIRED, TROUBLE THE WATER
Our coverage of AmFest Moscow here.
Others:
Filmmaker: "In Moscow with your own personal tour guide. Need I say more? Some festivals really grant you the time and forum to truly get to know other filmmakers; this was one of them. Very generous offerings for lodging and travel and per diem."
Filmmaker: "One of the weirdest
festivals ever, again in a mall, but if you can go to this one, do."
Our coverage of Atlantic Film Festival here.
Others:
Industry: "outgoing, friendly,
helpful staff,
Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: A PRESIDENT TO REMEMBER: IN THE COMPANY OF JOHN F. KENNEDY, BEAUTIFUL LOSERS, BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER*, CALIFORNIA COMPANY TOWN, CHICAGO 10, FOOD, INC., GRAPHIC SEXUAL HORROR, SOUL POWER, THE WRECKING CREW, THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD
Our coverage of Buenos Aires here.
Others:
Filmmaker: "I love this festival,
did not see the light of day for the whole time I was there....you are given an
"angel" who sees to your every need as well as a translator. It was a
different cross-section of filmmakers than the regular, for this i was also
grateful."
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: EL GENERAL, H FOR HUNGER, OCTOBER COUNTRY, OUTRAGE
Our coverage of DOK Liepzig here.
Others:
Filmmaker: "I've had
three films play there over the past twelve years and was always disappointed
by the experience. But in Germany, Leipzig is basically the next
best thing if you don't get into the Berlinale. I was pleasantly surprised by how
much the festival has improved under the leadership of Claas Danielsen, but I
doubt it will ever really make it into the same league as IDFA or even
Sheffield. But for filmmakers outside Germany, playing here could help sell
their films in Germany (if, of course, they don't get into the Berlinale). With
the Documentary Campus final pitches held right before the festival, it's also
a great opportunity to rub shoulders with all the big players in the doc world.
The festival has always put me up in a good hotel but never paid travel
expenses."
Filmmaker: "This was another really strong program of films in the competition selection led by the programmers Claas Danielsen and Grit Lemke. The whole festival runs like clockwork in pristine theaters that hold up to a thousand people with great attendance. They put you up in a great hotel, and as long as you are up in time for the free breakfast, that's a perk too. But make no mistake, this festival is heavy on business, and short on relaxation and party atmosphere. They do try, it's just that the whole atmosphere of Leipzig seems to prevent that "letting go" atmosphere from happening. Perhaps it's something about the region, or maybe it's the intensity of the business being conducted. The one drawback: the awards ceremony is the most boring I've ever witnessed. A model of German over-engineering and politesse, replete with jazz impressionistic musical interludes that went on WAY TOO LONG."
Industry: "Most of all,
the curation. It’s one of those
festivals that’s curated with a very specific taste across the program. You start to see a certain kind of film
a little too much. They have a
real programming rigor. There are
films there that you won’t see at any other festivals. Generally, you see these really
wonderful films that other programmers don’t have the guts to program. It’s a real art film sensibility. They tend to be more stately-paced,
observational. They have a really
good programming link into China for films that you don’t see elsewhere. It’s also the largest German event,
which is like the number three market for docs. Aesthetically, most of
the work (from North America) – the talking-head, narrative-driven docs –
doesn’t work for them."
Industry: "Gains an industry element thanks to its relationship with
Documentary Campus, but realistically not a must-attend without that element.
Selection of films is largely, and in places surprisingly, esoteric."
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE, WE LIVE IN PUBLIC, WHICH WAY HOME
Our coverage of Karlovy Vary here.
Others:
Filmmaker: "Karlovy Vary was great audiences, fancy fest."
Industry: "they don't program
enough documentaries but treat the filmmakers really well and the audience is
amazing! The programming is really strong every year."
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: 45365, BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE: THE STORY OF CBGB, SERGIO, STILL BILL, SWEETHEARTS OF THE PRISON RODEO, TRIMPIN: THE POWER OF INVENTION,
Our coverage of London here.
Others:
Filmmaker: "We were treated like royalty. Beyond hospitality. We didn't even have to think. Perfect projection and sound. Amazing audiences. Beautiful city. Great parties. Incredible programming. Wouldn't change a thing."Filmmaker: "fine"
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: ELOQUENT NUDE, IN A DREAM, IT MIGHT GET LOUD, MILKING THE RHINO, PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE, ROMAN POLANSKI: WANTED AND DESIRED, PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL, THE REAL SHAOLIN, SOUL POWER, THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD
Our coverage of Planete Doc Review here.
Others:
Filmmaker: "one of the five Doc Alliance festivals (along with DOK Leipzig, IDFF
Jihlava, CPH:DOX, and Visions du reel Nyon which have formed a strategic
partnership. This is an excellently curated festival with screenings in the
bizarrely charming Stalinist-style Palace of Culture in central Warsaw. The
cinema is terrific and it's easy to see lots of great films while having a
coffee or drink with filmmakers in the stylish cinema bars in between. The
festival director Artur Liebhart is a terrific guy who also does a lot to get
the films out onto Polish TV. His company Against Gravity not only puts on the
festival, but they also put out a DVD edition of select festival films each
year. My travel was paid for as were four nights in the fancy
Marriott directly across from the train station and two blocks from the Palace
of Culture - couldn't be more convenient. The festival has the best bags I've
ever received, recycled from the previous year's festival banners. Inside was a
small bottle of vodka dangling from my badge. That was a novelty. Lots of good
things to say about this festival. I'd definitely go again."
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: KIMJONGILIA, THE HORSE BOY
Our coverage of Pusan here.
Others:
Rencontres International du Documentaire de Montreal (RIDM)
Selection of US films screened at 2009 festival: AMERICAN RADICAL, THE BEEKEEPERS, GARBAGE DREAMS, OCTOBER COUNTRY, ORGASM, INC., RISEUP, WE LIVE IN PUBLIC
Our coverage of RIDM here.
Others:
Filmmaker: "Another hidden gem on the festival circuit that deserves a major re-assessment in terms of its perceived street value for doc filmmakers. Like Lisbon, the festival is predominantly run by very intelligent, very beautiful women whose passion for film has no boundaries and whose knack for hospitality makes the experience unforgettable. This is the kind of festival that programs really difficult films and then has a real dialogue with the audiences about them. Fantastic director conversation series and panels. Fantastic accomodations in one of the coolest cities in the world. Fantastic screening facilities. Huge audience attendance. Cool filmmakers. This one has it all. Charlotte Selb and her team are A+ all around."
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