Docu Talents 2026 Winners & Emerging Producers 2027 announced
The countdown to Ji.hlava has begun! In two months, we will meet again for the 30th Ji.hlava IDFF, bringing together documentary films, filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world. Alongside this year’s film programme, we are preparing a rich Industry programme and look forward to welcoming you to Jihlava.
The past days have already brought plenty of exciting news. In Sarajevo, we presented the Docu Talents from the East 2026, welcomed the new generation of Emerging Producers 2027, and announced this year’s Industry Country in Focus – Montenegro.
The call for submissions to the Ji.hlava/JB Films co-production initiative is still open, with 110,000 EUR allocated to support documentaries from Central and Eastern Europe.
With October approaching, now is a good moment to start planning your festival stay. Industry accreditation is currently available at the early bird rate, and registration is also open for selected industry activities, including the new For Future Audiences workshop – a great way for film festival representatives to take part in Ji.hlava.
We hope to see many of you in Jihlava and celebrate our 30th anniversary together. And – if you ever enjoyed Ji.hlava, please send us a postcard!
With warm regards,
The Ji.hlava IDFF Team
DOCU TALENTS AWARDS 2026: ORA ET LABORA AND RETUNING
Seven outstanding documentary projects from Central and Eastern Europe were presented at the 22nd edition of Docu Talents from the East in Sarajevo. The international jury decided to give the Award for the most promising project to Luxembourg–Slovak co–production Ora et Labora by the director Dzhovani Gospodinov, produced by Bady Minck and Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu. The award includes the invitation to the Ji.hlava New Visions Market 2026. The 3,000 EUR in-kind DAFilms.com VoD distribution Award was awarded to Slovak project Retuning directed by Sára Prokopová and produced by Tereza Tokárová. The award covers international VOD release on DAFilms.com (including the Americas, Europe, and Asia) for two years. You can now watch trailers of the Docu Talents from the East 2026 projects and read the press release for more details.
EMERGING PRODUCERS 2027 WITH JAPAN AS A GUEST COUNTRY
The names of 18 up-and-coming documentary film producers were announced this week in Sarajevo. The European producers, accompanied by a producer from this year’s guest country, Japan, will take part in three workshops (in Jihlava in October 2026, in Berlin in February 2027, the place of the 3rd session in the spring of 2027 is yet to be announced). If you are looking for co-producers for your projects or just want to see who the rising stars of film production in your country are, check out the EMERGING PRODUCERS portal with personalized profiles of over 250 talents! In the meantime, Variety's brought an exclusive overview of film projects that the EMERGING PRODUCERS 2026 are working on today.
110,000 EUR ALLOCATED TO CEE DOCUMENTARIES – ONE WEEK LEFT TO APPLY
For the third consecutive year, Ji.hlava IDFF supports outstanding auteur filmmaking from Central and Eastern Europe. The call for applications to the Ji.hlava / JB Films is open until August 31. The financial support will have a form of co-production contributions to film projects. Around 3–4 documentary and hybrid films in production or post-production will be supported, and one project can receive up to 40,000 EUR. By contributing to the selected projects, a share of the future profit will be assigned to Ji.hlava / JB Films and will be subsequently allocated in full to film projects selected in subsequent calls.
(Film Still: My Dear Theo by Alisia Kovalenko, 2024 Ji.hlava/JB Films support recipient).
FOR FUTURE AUDIENCES – AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FESTIVAL ORGANISERS
For Future Audiences is a new workshop for European film festival professionals interested in developing meaningful, long-term relationships with younger audiences. Taking place during the 30th Ji.hlava IDFF on October 27–28, the workshop will bring together up to 10 participants to exchange practical experience and know-how in film education and audience development for children and young people aged 3–19. Through shared practices and discussion, participants will explore how to attract and cultivate younger audiences, create programmes for different age groups, engage teenagers actively, work with families, and integrate film education into a festival’s long-term strategy. The €150 participation fee includes Industry accreditation, three nights of accommodation in Jihlava and the full workshop programme, thanks to the support from the PPF Foundation. Applications are open until September 15.
GET YOUR EARLY BIRD INDUSTRY ACCREDITATION
With the jubilee 30th Ji.hlava IDFF just four months away (with Industry Days on October 27–30), we invite film professionals to get their industry accreditations. An early bird price of €87 is available until September 30, discounts are granted to film school students. The Ji.hlava industry programme will feature a wide variety of events, including masterclasses, presentations, discussions, Ji.hlava New Visions Forum & Market, Matchmaking Accelerator, Festival Identity workshop, Conference on Ethics in Documentary Film, as well as full access to the festival screenings and more.
PROMOTIONAL POSSIBILITIES AT THE 30TH JI.HLAVA IDFF
The 30th Ji.hlava IDFF will once again offer a wide range of promotional possibilities. We invite you to use this opportunity to present your spot at Ji.hlava, host a drink or other event during the festival and its Industry days. Reach out to thousands of documentary film fans and around 1,300 film professionals attending one of the key European documentary events. Contact us, and we will prepare a tailor-made offer for you.
