Al Jazeera Balkans Documentary Film festival kicks off in Sarajevo

By Alma Dekovic and Ahmet Nurduhan

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (AA) – The 5-day Al Jazeera Balkans Documentary Film Festival (AJB DOC) began in the capital Sarajevo on Friday.

Edhem Foco, the director of the AJB DOC, told Anadolu that approximately 300 productions applied to the festival, and 24 compelling documentaries will be screened.

Foco said the purpose of the festival is to create empathy through documentaries for people who are under threat or have no rights.

He also mentioned that the films address various topics such as the lives of irregular migrants, injustices faced by Palestinians whose lands are occupied, and the current situation in Ukraine.

He noted that films from countries like Türkiye, Iran, Syria, and Palestine will also be featured in the festival.

- ‘Industry Days’ platform

Foco mentioned that this year, as in the previous year, a platform called "Industry Days" will be organized in collaboration with the Al Jazeera Documentary channel from Saturday to Monday.

The platform will allow documentary film writers and producers from the region and around the world to meet and exchange views, he said.

About those attending the festival, Foco said: “We couldn't do this without them because they cover most of the costs. Ultimately, we host guests here thanks to their influence. There are state television directors from Japan, South Korea, Finland, Sweden, and Austria, as well as from Deutsche Welle and TRT. Directors of many festivals such as Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival are also coming.”

- 24 documentaries will be screened

Among the jury members of the festival are Russian director Vitali Manski, Hungarian director Bernadett Tuza-Ritter, Bosnian director Nermin Hamzagic, Croatian producer Vanja Jambrovic, and producer Mohamed Elmongy.

The 5-day AJB DOC, which started today in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will present 24 documentaries from different parts of the world and regional countries to cinema enthusiasts.

In the competition section of AJB DOC, there will be three awards: "AJB Main Award," "AJB Program Award," and "Audience Award."

The festival aims to promote writers and documentaries dealing with social issues by focusing on universal human values.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul