Monday, October 28
14:00 – 15:30
Episodic storytelling in documentary series
Masterclass by writer/director Chris Westendorp (NL), incl. Q&A
Hands-on lecture on script writing in serial storytelling by filmmaker and screenwriter Chris Westendorp (NL), who recently directed with Mea Dols de Jong the four-part geopolitical thriller Hidden (NL, 2024) presented at Canneseries. Chris is a co-leading tutor of the Ex Oriente Series training workshop.
ZFL (Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig)
Ex Oriente Film x DOK Industry
16:00 – 17:30
Developing and producing documentary series
Case study by producer & head of non-fiction of Fandango Eleonora Savi (IT), incl. Q&A
Producing a documentary series can be an obstacle course, and finding the right format to greenlight depends on many factors. How do you go from development to production without compromising your story? Eleonora is a guest tutor of the Ex Oriente Series training workshop.
ZFL (Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig)
Ex Oriente Film x DOK Industry
Tuesday, October 29
9:30 – 11:00
Creative relationship between director and editor
Masterclass by film editor Per K. Kirkegaard (DK), incl. Q&A
Danish film editor Per K. Kirkegaard will closely focus on artistic collaboration in the editing room. Moderated by Iikka Vehkalahti. Per K. Kirkegaard graduated from Den Danske Filmskole in film editing. He has become one of the most established editors in the Danish film industry. He has edited numerous critically acclaimed documentaries and features. Among the feature films Per has edited is ‘Accused’, which was awarded with the European Film Academy Discovery Prix Fassbinder; ‘Armadillo’, for which he was awarded an Emmy for best editing of a long-format documentary; ‘TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away From Keyboard’, which was selected for the Berlin Film Festival; ‘The Sound of a Revolution’, a Greenlandic documentary, premiered at 2014’s CPH:DOX; and ‘Chuck Norris vs Communism’, selected for the 2015 Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Documentary competition. In 2019, he became a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences. Per is a guest tutor of the Ex Oriente Film training workshop. Moderated by Iikka Vehkalahti.
Radisson Blu Hotel Leipzig, Neptun Room
Ex Oriente Film x DOK Industry
13:30 –15:00
Panel: Documentary Series – Who Is Who in documentary series
Panel discussion with representatives of the broadcasters, funds and producers focused on documentary series. What are the current needs, issues, and opportunities for the episodic factual segment of the creative documentary industry? Let's talk about high-production value European documentary series, from developing and funding opportunities to broadcasters' priorities.
ZFL (Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig)
Ex Oriente Film x DOK Industry
Wednesday, October 30
9:30-11:00
Masterclass by author, director and cameraman Thomas Riedelsheimer (DE)
Regarding this year´s opening film TRACING LIGHT, Thomas Riedelsheimer will discuss and talk about finding themes and artistic language in documentary film, the meaning and power of images and his special way of working as a director-cameraman. Thomas is a guest tutor of the Ex Oriente Film training workshop.
Radisson Blu Hotel Leipzig, Neptun Room
Ex Oriente Film x DOK Industry
11:30 - 13:00
Pivotal Guide to World Sales and Distribution of Creative Docs, incl. Q&A
Lecture by international sales agent Anna Berthollet (CH) of Lightdox
In this lecture, we will explore the current landscape of sales and distribution for creative documentaries. We'll dive into the role of a sales agent, outlining key strategies for building a productive and healthy collaboration. You’ll learn how to best position your film for international markets and festivals. Additionally, we’ll discuss practical insights and essential tips for those interested in navigating DIY distribution. By the end, you'll have a clearer understanding of how to make the most of your documentary's journey from production to audience. Anna is a guest tutor of the Ex Oriente Film training workshop.
ZFL (Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig)
Ex Oriente Film x DOK Industry
The Ex Oriente Film training program is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, and the Czech Film Fund.
