East Doc Platform 2026 is just around the corner, and participating projects will have the opportunity to win several awards. Discover all the details about these awards and the juries that will decide the winners.
Most of the awards will be presented at the closing ceremony, which will take place on Tuesday, March 24 at 8 PM at Kino 35 of the French Institute in Prague.
Silver Eye Award
The East Silver International Jury awards the best documentary film from the East Doc Market for films in the rough-cut stage with the Silver Eye Award. The purpose of the award is to support directors with innovative approach, authors of films that create social impact, filmmakers, who has the courage to open discussion on serious topics, and creators offering unique point of view. The winner receives a year-long festival distribution service through the East Doc Caravan. Jury members are Diana Karklin (Rise and Shine World Sales) and Hélder Beja (Doclisboa - International Film Festival).
This award will be presented on Monday, March 23 at 6:30 PM at Kino 35 of the French Institute in Prague.
Diana Karklin
Diana Karklin graduated from Philipps-Universität Marburg (Germany) in economics. Focusing on film business early on, she worked for production companies like Morena Films (Madrid) and Zentropa Entertainments Berlin before taking over the Head of Sales position at Boomtown Media International. Since 2010, Diana is managing sales and acquisitions for Rise And Shine. Rise And Shine World Sales markets and sells outstanding documentary films to broadcasters and local distributors around the world.
Hélder Beja
Hélder Beja is the Director of Doclisboa IFF and a board member of APORDOC – the Portuguese Association for Documentary. An author, editor and programmer, his work spans cinema, literature, journalism and anthropology, with a strong focus on cultural exchange. He co-wrote the feature film Projecto Global (Rotterdam IFF, 2026) and the TV series The Cowboy (2024). Having lived in China for nearly a decade, he co-founded the Macau Literary Festival, where he served as Programme Director (2012–2018). Hélder is also one of the organizers of the Asia Pacific Writers & Translators Conference.
The Golden Funnel
The award for the most significant development within the yearlong session is granted to one Ex Oriente Film and one Ex Oriente Series workshop participating team awarded 1.000 EUR each. The financial support should help the filmmakers in further development and international promotion of their documentary films. The project is selected by the workshop leading tutors Filip Remunda, Ivana Pauerová Miloševičová, Christian Popp, Diana El Jeiroudi, Gitte Hansen and Ruth Reid.
Ex Oriente Fine Cut Award
Ex Oriente Film project selected by the workshop lead tutors Filip Remunda, Ivana Pauerová Miloševičová, Christian Popp, Diana El Jeiroudi and Gitte Hansen will receive rough cut consultations with renowned film editors in value of 2.000 EUR.
Cut thru the Noise Award
At the 3rd workshop session held within East Doc Platform 2026, the Ex Oriente Film participants will be eligible to receive the Cut thru the Noise Award. The award will be given to one of the Ex Oriente Film participating teams, that make the most progress over the course of the workshop in terms of their fist-package preparation. Shortlist of candidates will be suggested by the workshop lead tutors. The winning project will be selected by Marcella Jelic, the founder of Split Screen, an international boutique-sized world sales company together with Mirjam Wiekenkamp, founder and manager of international projects at NOISE PR. The awarded team will receive tailor-made consultancy on the project´s release, distribution and festival strategy in the value of 1.500 EUR.
Czech Television Award
Czech Television Award represents the commitment of Czech Television to conclude with the producer of the winning project an agreement on the subsequent use of the winning project by Czech Television with a licence fee in the amount of CZK 150.000.
HBO Award
HBO, the General Partner of the Institute of Documentary Film will award one of the projects selected to the East Doc Platform 2026 the HBO Award worth EUR 2 000. The award will be presented by Hanka Kastelicová, the Executive Producer of Documentaries HBO Original. This award does not constitute any co-production or distribution deal and doesn’t bind the granted director/producer to sell any rights for the film to HBO in exchange for the award.
The Docs up Fund Award
The Docs up Fund is an initiative providing mentoring and financial support to feature length documentary films committed to defending human rights around the world, films that raise awareness and create positive impact. This fund will award one project selected for the East Doc Platform 2026 with EUR 2,000. The award will be presented by Alex Szalat.
DOK Leipzig DOK Co-Pro Market Award
DOK Leipzig is happy to present the DOK Co-Pro Market Award. One project will be selected for fast-forward participation in the 22nd DOK Co-Pro Market. The project will have the chance to present itself to international decision makers in pre-scheduled individual meetings in October 2026. The prize includes participation fees, a free festival accreditation for two representatives of the selected project and accommodation in a double room. The award will be selected by DOK Leipzig representative.
DAE Talent Encouragement Award
Documentary Association of Europe is bringing to East Doc Platform the DAE Talent Encouragement Award. The award consists of bespoke mentoring with a DAE member, depending on the needs of the project team.
Pitch the Doc Prize
The Pitch the Doc Prize is awarded to boost the progress of the credited project and enhance its international recognition. The award consists of tailored consultations with an expert associated with Pitch the Doc, and coverage of the project by the PtD Spotlight programme.
Baltic Sea Docs Award
Thanks to the collaboration with the Baltic Sea Docs, one project will be awarded an invitation to participate in the Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries in September 2026. The winning team will have the opportunity to engage with industry professionals from both the Baltic Sea region and beyond, including European and international industry players.
East-West Talent Lab
In collaboration with Go East Festival, one project will be awarded an invitation to participate in the East-West Talent Lab from 24–27 April 2026. The winning team will have the opportunity to engage with industry professionals from Germany and the European region. The award announcement will be made by Andrea Wink.
Sheffield DocFest Networking Award
The Award recognizes an outstanding documentary project by selecting one team to receive 2 Industry Passes and the full waiver to submit to the MeetMarket at the Sheffield DocFest 2027.
With the Industry Passes the team will have access to exclusive networking opportunities with key industry decision-makers attending the market. Attending Sheffield DocFest offers a unique chance to connect with potential co-producers, financiers, and distributors, helping the project gain international exposure and support.
DocsBarcelona Pro Award
In cooperation with DocsBarcelona, one of the projects presented at the East Doc Forum is selected for the Speed Meetings at the 2026 DocsBarcelona Pro. The meetings will be arranged previously depending on financers and projects preferences. The award enables the filmmakers to additionally present their project to the international decision makers and thus soon follow up on and broaden the deals and cooperation initiated at the East Doc Platform.
The East Doc Platform is made possible thanks to the financial support of Creative Europe MEDIA, Czech Audiovisual Fund, Ministry of Culture Czech Republic, the capital city of Prague, APA - Audiovisual Producers' Association, Czech-German Future Fund, HBO, Creative Europe Desk Czech Republic and the Austrian Cultural Forum.
The general media partner is the Czech television.
The event is held in cooperation with the One World Film Festival and the French Institute in Prague.