We’re excited to unveil the selected projects for this year’s Ex Oriente Features and Ex Oriente Series workshops! These bold and personal documentaries in the development and early production stage from across Europe delve fearlessly into complex realities and urgent themes shaping our world today.
“The 2025 edition of Ex Oriente Film builds on our long-term commitment to nurturing the audiovisual landscape across Europe. We support creative and production collaboration across borders, while actively safeguarding diversity and democratic values. By empowering talented storytellers to explore the world and the lives we share, the workshop offers space for artistic exchange, critical dialogue, and the development of bold, meaningful projects. We’re excited to follow the journey of this year’s 17 selected projects as they grow, evolve, and take shape,” says Anna Kaslová (Ex Oriente Film & East Doc Forum Manager).
Not so far away places (dir. Renato Borrayo Serrano, Yulia Vishnevets, prod. Vlad Ketkovich, Milana Christich – Anafilms, Albin Bourgeois – Weplus, FR)
In-depth immersion into the Russian prison repressive machinery shot from the subjective perspective of human right activist Anna Karetnikova working undercover, trying to confront the totalitarian system from within.
My Dear Vira (dir. Olga Chernykh, Maryna Brodovska, prod. Veronika Stepanchuk – Balcony 48, co-prod. Christian Popp – YAMI 2 Productions, Tobias Janson, Melissa Lindgren - Story, UA, FR, SE)
Two Ukrainian friends: Maryna, an artist who fled Ukraine due to war and Vira a US army captain who emigrated 13 years ago, reunite to explore how social roles and ties to particular places shape their sense of identity.
House in a Bottle (dir. Anna Morawiec, prod. Agata Jujeczka – Vision House Productions, PL)
A confession of five people who had to be adults as children, and remain children as adults.
+7: Scamming For Revenge (working title) (dir. Oleksandra Horiienko, prod. Alex Shiriaieff, Max Tuula – EuroArctic Media Group, Kateryna Yahodka, SE, UA)
At the time of war, young Ukrainians take an easy but lucrative job at an office, only to discover it is a large-scale phone scam hub. For some, the first work experience gradually becomes their lifestyle.
Shape of Silence (dir. Varun Trikha, prod. Varun Trikha – Sitara Productions Inc, co-prod. Margit Lillak – Tiny Desk Productions, CA, EE)
A blind wildlife recordist experiences her world through the sounds of nature. Amidst changing soundscapes, she journeys in search of some healing sounds to bring comfort to others.
Children of the Moon Land (dir. Roman Ďuriš, prod. Richard Šimeček – Svjetski Films, co-prod. Michal Sikora – Lonely Production, SK, CZ)
In the polluted wasteland of Jelšava, Slovakia, three pairs of Romani siblings navigate childhood amid toxic magnesite dust, playing astronauts in a dying world—where survival is the ultimate mission.
Dance with Me (dir. Leila Basma, prod. Natalia Pavlove – Other Stories, co-prod. Christian Eid – Abbout Productions, Marisa Meier – Intuition Club, Baptiste Bertin – La Onda, CZ, FR, DE, LB)
Adam Basma fled his Lebanese family during the civil war to become L.A.'s first male solo belly dancer. His niece Leila dives into his world, unveiling themes of identity, family, and belonging.
I had a Dream about an Elephant (dir. Štefan Straka, prod. Mátyás Prikler – MPhilms s. r. o., SK)
An absurd portrait exploring how a thief can become a hero. The story of a businessman, who became rich through financial fraud and developed a cut-off region of Eastern Slovakia in “his own way”.
Symphony of Seasons (dir. Sami Mustafa, prod. Faton Mustafa – Third Eyes Pictures, Sami Mustafa – Romawood, co-prod. Laurent Billard – Les Films Du Tourbillon, XK, FR)
A story of exploring the weight of loss, inherited memory, the resilience of identity, and the struggle for self-liberation. Can we find a way to reconcile with our past without being bound by it?
Dekonstrukt (dir. Mateusz Góra, Kamil Wilk, prod. Piotr Śmiechowski – Telemark Sp. z o.o., PL)
”Dekonstrukt” is a coming-of-age story combining different film genres. Stefa, Mac, and Karo founded a collective for trans community on Polish club scene. Granted with supernatural powers, they try to overcome traumas.
VESNA FOREVER VESNA (dir. Hana Piscevic, Nebojsa Resanovic, prod. Savina Smederevac – Zenit films, RS, HR)
Vesna, a young girl who shares a roof with 300 rescued animals and grandma Vesna who adopted her, dreams of a life beyond the boundaries of her backyard.
At Home (dir. Tamara Todorović, prod. Čarna Vučinić – Naked, RS)
Through a 10-year video diary following the director from her 20s to 30s in Serbia, “At Home” unveils a universal story of gender roles, exploring what it means to be “enough” of a woman within both family and society.
Hijacked Life (dir. Andrius Lekavičius, prod. Jurgita Rakauskaite, LT)
From teenage Soviet hijacker to convicted murderer of his father, "Hijacked Life" delivers an intimate exploration into the labyrinthine life of Algirdas Brazinskas. 4-part docuseries unravel a quest for redemption.
Grandpa was a genius (dir. Kalina Nikolova, prod. Martichka Bozhilova – Agitprop Ltd., BG)
Pancho Vladigerov is one of the iconic European composers of the 20th century, but how popular is his work today? What challenges do his descendants, also musicians, face with a grandfather considered a genius?
World Divided (dir. Soňa Nôtová, Štefan Straka, prod. Richard Chudý, SK)
Beyond the walls that divide, a world of resilience emerges, where hope and humanity bridge the scars of history in a journey from Belfast to Nicosia, Mostar to Western Sahara.
Justice as legalised terror (dir. Zora Cejnková, prod. Gordon Lovitt – NOW Productions, CZ)
A deeply human exploration of how judicial systems can be weaponized to terrorize citizens rather than protect them.
When The Wind Blows (dir. Anna Savchenko, prod. Iva Tkalec – Kinoteka), Valentin Gregoire – The Fish Square, HR, BE, PL, FR, ES)
When the Wind Blows follows workers at the forefront of Europe’s green transition, from wind turbine technicians to marine biologists, across Europe. Exploring challenges, innovations and community impact.
This edition is possible thanks to the financial support of Creative Europe MEDIA, Czech Audiovisual Fund and the Ministry of Culture Czech Republic.
