DOKweb Content
www.DOKweb.net is a portal dedicated to East European documentary film. The news section provides up-to-date information on upcoming and just completed films, interviews with filmmakers and other documentary professionals, in-depth articles exploring the state of documentary filmmaking in various parts of the region, as well as insightful texts on current trends, funding, etc. The portal also boasts the largest published databases of completed and upcoming documentary films from Eastern Europe, an industry directory, as well as trailers and original video content. www.DOKweb.net is IDF´s key online project that provides comprehensive details on all IDF´s activities and links them with general information service.
Institute of Documentary Film’s Activities
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Founded in 2001, the INSTITUTE OF DOCUMENTARY FILM (IDF) is a non-profit training and networking centre based in Prague, Czech Republic, focused on the support of East European documentary films and their wider promotion. Our activities support filmmakers through all stages of completion – development, funding, production, post-production, and distribution. We aim at individual filmmakers (tailored consultations), groups of carefully selected professionals with projects or films (Ex Oriente Film, East European Forum, East Silver, Doc Launch, etc.), broader professional community (East Doc Platform), as well as the general public (portal www.DOKweb.net). We closely work with key int. festivals, broadcasters, distributors, sales agents, markets, or training initiatives and serve as the GATEWAY TO EAST EUROPEAN DOCUMENTARY FILM.

Ex Oriente Film


Ex Oriente Film Workshop – 1st Session: Find Your Way
Venue: Hotel Academic, Roztoky u Prahy / Czech Republic
Dates: March 12 – 18, 2011

The first session of the workshop deals with the development of the documentary project, primarily its story potential, as well as researching the potential for documentary co-production and laying the groundwork for project production.

During the first session, we aim to form the participants into a functioning group, providing the atmosphere for creative networking as well as defining the position of each project within the context of the European market. We try to answer a number of questions, such as: What is the purpose of making this film? Has a similar film been made in recent years? What will be the film language and visual style of the film? What is the production potential of the film? What are the realistic expectations contained in the story and in the producer’s experience? What improvements should be made?


Tutors planned for the first session:

  • Marijke Rawie, Expert consultant / lead workshop tutor, The Netherlands
  • Mikael Opstrup, Head of Studies EDN and lead workshop tutor, Denmark
  • Jean-Pierre Rehm, FID Marseille director, France
  • Míra Janek, director, Czech Republic
  • Arik Bernstein, producer, Alma Films, Izrael
  • Filip Remunda, filmmaker, Czech Republic
  • Martin Kollar, photographer and cinematographer, Slovakia
  • Oli Harbottle, Dogwoof, UK
  • Erez Laufer, editor, director, Israel



In 2011 after four days or regular “closed” programme of our training workshop, Ex Oriente Film participants will use opportunity and participate in Open session co-organized with Documentary Campus. The programme of the session will be created and secured by our partners Documentary Campus and their partners in the region One World Human Rights Film Festival. Also, committing our participants to take part into programme, supporting them to use it to the greatest possible benefit and meet open session experts for the arranged consultations.

Apart from individual meetings, group sessions and film development lectures on storytelling and financing, the first part of the workshop will offer in 2011 an inspirational session by Bruno Felix from Submarine production company about finding new ways to fund, create and distribute documentaries; an inspirational session on visual styles in documentary film by world acknowledged photographer and cinematographer Martin Kolar; Erez Laufer a remarkable editor from Izrael, will have a session on Dramaturgical Rules in Documentary Film, as well as dramaturgical consultations with all participants.

Participants and guests will also have an opportunity to see the best films from the region “East Silver Caravan” collection focus  as well as the screening of “my favourite recent film” selected by Erez Laufer.

On the second day, March 12th, participants will also have a chance to attend an in-depth case study of a former Ex Oriente Film project that will include excerpts from the rough cut and the completed film, a survey of all the production stages, and an insightful outline of the entire film production process.

The first 2011 session will take place in the small town of Roztoky, 10 km from Prague, with excellent train and bus connection to Prague and to the airport.