MakeCoProDox Forum is a forum whose main goal is to develop a strategic plan to increase documentary film co-production between the Balkan countries. The Forum has two layers, one of them is the Balkan Network Group with representatives from the Balkan Film Centers, and the other one is a training for filmmakers with documentary projects produced, co-produced or filmed in the Balkans. The Forum welcomes representatives from the film centers, documentary and industry professionals, and 10 projects in different stages of production selected through an open call.

The first documentary film co-production forum took place within the 10th edition of the Creative Documentary Film Festival MakeDox in 2019. The 6th edition of the MakeCoProDox Forum will be held from 19 to 21 August in the Youth Cultural Center in Skopje. 

Our objective with this project is to establish a new alliance sector in the Balkan region for the first time, as the only way to amortize the consequences of the crisis. Within the sessions we will present the problems that regional countries are facing, and try to find possible ways of overcoming them, while emphasizing their not specific regulations dedicated to supporting the development and production of documentary films. 

A co-production treaty was signed between North Macedonia and France in 2021, making it the fourth Balkan country to do so. Behind the institutional and diplomatic interest, behind the symbolic aspect, what concrete results can we expect from this treaty in the immediate future? 

Let’s take it as an opportunity for Macedonian producers and talents: the possibility of co-producing within a legislative framework with better recognition of the identity of projects, a chance to be present in international co-production on a more equitable basis.

Let’s see it also as an inspiration to develop projects with international potential, an encouragement to develop the support from the North Macedonia Film Agency and the local industry, by having a better capacity to co-produce in the region and internationally. 

All we can expect now are numerous and creative collaborations and, above all, to find some great projects! The MakeCoProDox Forum, with the support of the Fonds Equipe France from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is there for that. – Victor Ede 

Moderators & mentors:

Helle Hansen  – Documentary Film Consultant

Zeynep Güzel – Documentary Association of Europe

Brigid O’Shea – Documentary Association of Europe

Victor Ede – Cinephage Productions, France

The Forum is organized & supported by: MakeDox, North Macedonia Film Agency, French Embassy in Skopje (French Institute Skopje) – Fonds Equipe France from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, MEDIA desk MK, Greek Film Center, Documentary Association of Europe, Doc Around Europe Festival Network, Dysflims, Youth Cultural Center Skopje, Vardar Film, FX3X and IRL.

Dates: August 19-21, 2024