Agora Docs in Progress

Agora Docs in Progress: March 10-14, 2024

The Agora Docs in Progress program remains the main event in the Balkans for directors and producers from Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean regions to present their documentary films to buyers, co-producers, festival representatives and sales agents at the stage just before completion.

Which countries are eligible to apply?

Countries eligible to participate in the Docs in Progress (as major production country or as a co-production country) are: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Bosnia – Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo*, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

What are we looking for?

Original feature-length documentary projects and documentary series from Southeastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean countries and North Africa that combine artistic ambition and high visual quality.
Projects that are either produced or co-produced by a country within these regions or contain elements in the story that link them to these regions.
Do you have a documentary that is not from the eligible countries but you think Thessaloniki is a good launching platform for you? You are welcome to apply. The selection committee will evaluate all submitted projects.

What is the application process?

Applicants must fill in the online Agora Docs in Progress Application Form and include a clip of minimum 25 minutes including excerpts or scenes of your film in a secure web link.
Applicants should make sure that they have completed the form thoroughly. Once one has submitted the form there cannot be any changes.
The Agora Docs in Progress Application is free of charge.

Key Dates:

Open Call: November 20, 2023
Submission Deadline: January 12, 2024
Notification Date: Late January
Online Workshop: Early February
Agora Docs in Progress (in Thessaloniki): March 10-14, 2024
Online Meetings: March 15, 2024

What happens if my project is selected?

Once a project has been selected, both director and producer are expected to participate in the online consultation workshop taking place in early February to prepare their presentation.
You also agree that one or two representatives will attend the entire duration of the Agora Docs in Progress -if possible, otherwise you will be participating online- (Arrival March 10th – departure March 14th / The Agora Awards ceremony takes place on March 13th, 2024).
The Agora Docs in Progress offers accommodation for 4 nights (if both director and producer attend we can cover one double room) and can reimburse part of the travel expenses per project team (receipts are required).
Project holders will need to create, with our help, an 8-minute clip with film excerpts (not a trailer, not a promo reel) with English subtitles. The selected projects will have the opportunity to prepare for their project presentation to the industry professionals and receive consultation for their next steps.
Finished documentary projects presented at the Agora Docs in Progress must display its logo in their credits. Preferably, the following sentence should be mentioned in the credit list: "[film title] has been presented at the Agora Docs in Progress of the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival". The logo will be sent to the filmmakers upon selection of the project.