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Docu Rough Cut Boutique Announces Projects Selected for 2026 Edition
Selected five projects from the region of South-East Europe and the Caucasus will participate in three working modules
Created and organized by Sarajevo Film Festival – CineLink Industry Days and Balkan Documentary Center, Docu Rough Cut Boutique is a platform dedicated to documentary projects in the advanced phase of the editing process. Selected five projects from the region of South-East Europe and the Caucasus will participate in three working modules: Sofia (May 2026), Online module (July 2026) and Sarajevo (August 2026).
“We were surprised by how many documentary films are being produced in our region, despite several countries closing off financing opportunities for independent, free-spirited creative documentaries. We received a large number of applications, but remained faithful to our boutique concept, believing that focusing on a small number of chosen works in progress would provide high-quality, in-depth mentorship and hands-on work that could elevate the final results. In our 17th edition, we have chosen five very promising works, mainly by new talents entering the European documentary scene, with their exciting and fresh gaze on the dramatic changes in today’s world. We are witnessing the resilience of documentary cinema again. Several projects bravely challenge the reconceptualization of human connections as a vital value of everyday living.” - Rada Šešić, Sarajevo Film Festival.
“In the turbulent times we live in, independent voices in documentary film from the region are more needed than ever. Despite the rapidly changing film industry and technological challenges, Docu Rough Cut Boutique continues to stand behind brave and talented directors and editors to bring their projects to successful realization. This year, we are presenting five wonderful documentary film projects to the international film scene that showcase local talent in the most convincing way. I hope for fruitful work and strong industry interest by the end of our workshop.” - Martichka Bozhilova, Balkan Documentary Center.
BALKAN MAESTRO
Directors: Altinaï Petrovitch Njegosh, François Fleury
Producers: Altinaï Petrovitch Njegosh, Dominique Chaudier
Editor: Luka Đikanović
Production companies: AJ AJ AJ Films
Co-production company: Bienvenue Productions
Countries: Montenegro, France
French maestro Marc Korovitch takes over Montenegro National Orchestra and reconnect with his roots. On the eve of the country’s entry into the European Union, he dreams of conducting Don Giovanni.
KIND OF ADULTS
Directors: Rita Balogh, Peter Akar
Producer: Rita Balogh
Editor: Zsófia Érdi
Production company: Other Films Kft.
Countries: Hungary
Co-created with GenZ teens over 6 years from high school graduation, this raw doc blends self-shot and observational footage as they search for an adult self, facing identity crisis, depression, love.
NO OFFENCE
Director: Lucija Marčec
Producers: Ida Barač, Ema Mikolaci
Co-producer: Michal Sikora
Editor: Petra Šobak
Production company: Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb
Co-production company: Lonely Production
Countries: Croatia, Czech Republic
Does the discrimination ever change or does it only change its victims?
RANA
Directors: Maria Cheresheva, Georgi Totev
Producers: Maria Cheresheva, Georgi Totev
Editors: Georgi Totev, Ivo Mitrev
Production company: LENS2LENS
Country: Bulgaria
Two women, a Palestinian in Gaza and a Bulgarian Jew, defy history through a 12-year friendship that becomes an urgent mission of survival and quiet resistance during the 2023 war.
WOMEN OF AKBELEN FOREST
Director: Selen Çatalyürekli
Producer: Zeyneb Gültekin
Editors: Yeşim Tatlıhan Tuncel, Selen Çatalyürekli
Production company: Nar Film
Co-production companies: Surela Film, Smoke & Mirrors Foundation
Country: Türkiye, Netherlands
In southwest Turkey, village women lead a defiant stand against coal mining threatening their forest, homes and future, transforming themselves as they fight for land and life.