Warsaw will once again become a meeting point for emerging documentary talent from across Central and Eastern Europe as the Short Pitch Program 2026 unfolds on May 10, 2026, as part of Millennium Docs Against Gravity. Bringing together bold new voices and industry professionals, the event offers a dynamic space for presenting short documentary projects, exchanging ideas, and building future collaborations.
Discover this year's selected projects
Focused on supporting emerging filmmakers working in short documentary formats, the program offers selected teams from across Central and Eastern Europe the opportunity to present their projects to key industry professionals, including sales agents, distributors, and festival representatives. The day-long event will open with a pitching session, where seven selected projects will be presented in front of an audience and a panel of industry guests. The program will continue with a discussion panel titled Against Despair. Short Documentaries as Acts of Resistance, exploring how contemporary short documentaries respond to political and social challenges. Speakers include Alisa Kovalenko, Anne Gaschütz, and Anas Sareen.
In the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to attend the Pole Position pitching of completed Polish films within the Millennium Docs Against Gravity framework, followed by one-on-one meetings with invited decision-makers. These meetings provide a valuable space for direct exchange and potential future collaborations. The event will conclude with an award ceremony recognizing outstanding projects from this year’s selection. The following awards will be presented:
East Doc Award
Presented by the Institute of Documentary Film, this award supports promising documentary projects from Central and Eastern Europe with hands-on, personalized distribution expertise. The winning project receives dedicated rough-cut consultations and a custom-built festival distribution strategy designed to strengthen the film’s artistic vision and maximize its reach on the international festival circuit.
Documentary Association of Europe Award
Presented by the Documentary Association of Europe (DAE), this talent encouragement award recognizes outstanding emerging voices in documentary filmmaking. The winner receives a tailor-made consultancy session with a DAE senior consultant.
Polish Filmmakers Association Award
Cash award of PLN 5,000.
Rising Doc Producer Award
A tailored mentoring opportunity with an experienced industry professional, providing guidance, industry insight, and support in further developing both the project and the producer’s professional path.
The Short Pitch Program is organized by the Institute of Documentary Film in cooperation with Millennium Docs Against Gravity, in partnership with the Documentary Association of Europe (DAE), Krajowa Izba Producentów Audiowizualnych, and the Polish Filmmakers Association.
