TIDF28 AGORA TALKS

This year’s AGORA Talks address a wide range of topics, including equity in international co-productions, the role of independent documentary cinema in countering misinformation, sustainability in film production, the growth of the XR ecosystem, the findings of the Doc Together think tank report, and a presentation of four producers from the Basque Country.

16.00 - 16.45
Doc Together: Think Tank report presentation

Doc Together is an initiative launched in March 2025 at the 27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival, in collaboration with DOK Leipzig. It seeks to establish a long-term, cross-sector coalition that provides sustained support for filmmakers affected by censorship, displacement or crisis. Following its launch, DOK Leipzig hosted a think tank in October 2025, bringing together 60 participants representing a broad range of industry sectors. The discussions focused on current challenges and lived (or shared) experiences, and the development of potential strategies and solutions. This report presents the key findings and outcomes of that process.

Report presentation:
Carmina Orozco Lopez Industry Delegations and Special Programmes Coordinator - DOK Leipzig

Intros by:
Nadja Tennstedt Director DOK Industry - DOK Leipzig
Angeliki Vergou Head of AGORA - Thessaloniki Film Festival
Jordi Wijnalda Coordinator - International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR)

Co-organized with DOK Leipzig

16.45 - 17.10
Featured Short Talk by Dominic Asmall Willsdon, Executive Director - International Documentary Association (IDA)

Dominic Willsdon will discuss IDA’s advocacy for freedom of expression in documentary filmmaking. He will highlight a new emergency assistance program for filmmakers at risk, explain how it draws on existing models developed for journalists, and consider how it might be expanded through partnerships with organizations in Europe and beyond. He will also discuss IDA's campaign to challenge media consolidation in the United States

17.15 - 18.30
It’s only fair

International co-productions are vital for filmmakers from low-capacity production environments, or those with limited funding, as they can provide access to better resources, organized distribution systems and audiences. Yet, power imbalances, lack of transparency and existing institutional frameworks of high capacity production countries frequently create structural barriers, making it difficult for filmmakers at risk to engage in truly fair and balanced co-productions.

Speakers:
Malin Hüber Producer - Her Film
Leonard Cortana Consultant and Impact Producer, Inclusion Program and Strategic Partnerships Manager - EURODOC

Moderation - Speaker: Selin Murat Executive Director - IDFA Bertha Fund

15.00 - 16.00
Keeping it real

A discussion on the role of independent documentary filmmaking in countering press freedom decline, the spread of misinformation from many media outlets and the systematic dismantling of fact-checking tools.

Speakers:
András Földes Co-director - 80 Angry Journalists
Antoine Goldet Producer - Amok films
Marianna Kakaounaki Journalist, Director

Moderator: Brigid O’Shea Director & International Consultant - Documentary Association of Europe (DAE)

16.30 - 18.00
AGORA Cross-border: Basque Country

The 28th TiDF AGORA launches a new collaboration initiative aimed at fostering connections between delegations of producers from different countries and regions and attending industry professionals. In this edition, in partnership with Basque Audiovisual (Zineuskadi), a delegation of four producers from the Basque Country is invited to present their projects to accredited guests. The delegation, together with a representative of Zineuskadi, will engage with the Festival’s professional activities, in view of developing new synergies and exchanging knowledge and experience within the international documentary sector.

Speakers:
Nagore Eceiza Producer - EL SANTO Films
Zuri Goikoetxea Screenwriter, director, producer - Doxa Producciones
Marta Gómez Calderón Screenwriter, director, producer - Al Borde films
Gentzane Martinez De Osaba Producer - Marmoka Films, Bide Guztiak AIE

Moderator: Hermione Efstratiadou Producer & Consultant - Films out there

In collaboration with BASQUE.AUDIOVISUAL. Zineuskadi

17.00-18.00
From vision to reality: Unleashing the sustainability superpower in film production

This talk brings together Julia Tordai (sustainability manager) and Serena Alfieri (film producer), to explore how environmental responsibility and production realities intersect on set. Through an open dialogue, they will compare their perspectives, uncover common challenges, and highlight opportunities to integrate sustainability into everyday filmmaking practices. From creative decision‑making to resource management and cost-effectiveness, the conversation will reveal how collaboration between these roles can drive more efficient, ethical and future‑oriented productions. A practical and inspiring exchange for anyone interested in sustainable filming without compromising their artistic vision.

Speakers:
Júlia Tordai Sustainability consultant, Founder & CEO - Green Eyes Production
Serena Alfieri Producer

Moderator: Linnea Merzagora Green Film Project Manager - Trentino Film Commission

Green SCAP project is implemented by:
Veneto Film Commission (Italy), Film Office-Central Macedonia (Greece) & Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center/ Hellenic Film Commission (Greece), Mediterranean Creative Hub of Mallorca (Spain) under the supervision of Green Film

Organized by:
Film Office-Central Macedonia (Greece) & Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center/Hellenic Film Commission (Greece)

In the framework of the European project “Green SCAP” (Green Skills for Cinema and Audiovisual Production - Erasmus+)

11.30 - 13.00
Empowering the XR ecosystem

Empowering the XR Ecosystem brings together creators, institutions and policy experts into the ongoing exploration of how XR can grow as a sustainable, meaningful field. The conversation will move from vision and practice (XR creation and storytelling), to infrastructure and field-building (talent, incubation, collaboration), and into policy, funding, and streamlining production and exhibition - mapping how ideas become projects, and projects become an ecosystem.

Speakers:
Anastasia Mavrogianni Innovation Officer - Onassis Foundation/Onassis ONX
Avinash Changa Founder WeMakeVR, founder of IMPRES - The Institute of Immersive Preservation
Achilleas Tsoutsis Senior Legal and Business Counsel - Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre S.A. (H.F.A.C.)

Moderation: Lazaros Boudakidis - Head of Immersive: All around Cinema - Thessaloniki Film Festival

Powered by Onassis ONX

15.00 - 16.00
INFOSESSION
Culture and health: Time to act

A presentation based on a new European report examining the role of culture in promoting mental and physical wellbeing. The session will include examples from across Europe, practical approaches, and an open discussion. Intended for those who believe that art can positively influence everyday life and shape our cities.

A conversation with:

Dr. Margarita Alexomanolaki Head of the Directorate of Performing Arts and Cinema of the Ministry of Culture, Co-chair - OMC group on Culture and Health

Maria Kokorotskou, Curation of Education, MOMus Museologist, Theatre and Drama Educator

@Thessaloniki Cinema Museum - Takis Kanellopoulos Cinema

The conversation will take place in Greek

13.00 - 14.30
The future of European documentary beyond Greece: Funding, risk and responsibility

Across Europe, documentary production is facing shrinking budgets, fewer commissions and increasingly fragmented financing, even as audience demand remains strong. Bringing together television representatives from France, Germany, Poland and Spain, alongside with industry professionals, this panel examines where risk sits now within the production chain, how decisions are made about which stories receive support, and what responsibilities different partners carry. Is Europe witnessing a temporary market adjustment, or a deeper transformation in how documentaries can be produced and sustained?

Speakers:
Anne-Laure Negrin Commissioning editor - ARTE
Magdalena Borowska Commissioning editor - Telewizja Polska S.A.
Montse Armengou Martín Commissioning editor - Televisió de Catalunya
Elisabeth Lehmann Commissioning editor - Deutsche Welle

Moderation: Photini Economopoulou Producer, President of the Greek Documentary Association

@Warehouse 1 - John Cassavetes Cinema

Co-organized with the Greek Documentary Association - Hellas Doc