Challenges and expectations surrounding documentary filmmaking

The report for the Think Tank of leading European documentary professionals, convened by the European Film Academy and held in collaboration with AGORA at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, records the challenges and expectations in the field of documentary filmmaking. The aim of the Think Tank was to help shape the future of documentary representation, as well as the vision and priorities of the European Film Academy’s Documentary Chapter, which is expected to launch in 2027.

The discussion was moderated by European Film Academy Executive Director Matthijs Wouter Knol, Documentary Association of Europe Director Brigid O'Shea, and filmmaker and President of the Hellenic Film Academy, Lefteris Charitos.

Through facilitated dialogue, participants were invited to co-create the vision and priorities for the Chapter's first phase (2027-2030), explore collaborative models with existing documentary organisations, and lay the groundwork in order to outline the reciprocal relationship between documentary practitioners and the Academy.

Participants identified a sector under significant pressure. Shrinking budgets, the retreat of broadcasters, and streamers favouring mainstream IP have left documentary filmmakers with diminishing platforms and income. Structural inequalities between Western and Eastern European countries add on this precarity, as do growing threats to freedom of expression and a lack of visibility for documentary within European film institutions.

Despite these pressures, participants pointed to the resilience and solidarity of the documentary community as a meaningful counterweight. Europe's public financing infrastructure, its co-production tradition, and the argument that AI's dominance on fiction may ultimately strengthen demand for authentic, real-world storytelling were all cited as reasons for cautious optimism.

The participants emphasized that the proposed Chapter should focus on showcasing the full diversity of European documentary voices, building active member engagement, revitalising distribution through new pathways while also standing firmly with filmmakers at risk through legal support and public advocacy. Transparency in nomination and selection processes and greater inclusion of filmmakers and producers in decision-making were identified as the foundation to build members’ trust.

Participants emphasised that the Academy should act as a connector and amplifier; it should not duplicate existing organisations, but fill the gaps they cannot. The most critical unmet need is coordinated, cross-border audience development: no pan-European tool or campaign model currently exists to make documentary films visible across territories.

The European Film Academy is well-positioned to advocate at EU level on structural inequalities, support documentary heritage preservation, and leverage its platform to turn award recognition into genuine distribution momentum.

The full report can be read here