Civil Society Pitch is an intensive one-year program designed to foster collaboration between NGOs and filmmakers from Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova and Romania. The goal of our program is to facilitate a dialogue between activists and visual storytellers and to launch new documentary film projects that address human rights and social issues.
Throughout the program, participants have the opportunity to engage in workshops, seminars and mentoring sessions with experienced international professionals and specialists. The experts provide guidance and support to the participants, helping them navigate the stages of film development and the production process.
During OWR #17, the fifth edition of Civil Society Pitch will conclude with a public pitching session, on Saturday, April 13, from 11:30 AM, at the Czech Centre Bucharest, where one of the five participating projects will have a chance to receive a grand prize of 4,000 EUR. The winner will be announced during the festival’s Closing Gala, on the same day, from 7:00 PM, at Elvire Popesco Cinema.
Later on this year, we will also launch a Forum for Civil Society Pitch alumni. The platform will help to increase the connection between NGOs and visual storytellers from all four participating countries and will serve as a hub for members to interact and support each other in ongoing or future projects. The Forum will also host meetings and seminars aimed at strengthening relationships and collaboration on social issues projects, ensuring that the impact of the Civil Society Pitch program extends well beyond its completion.
Jury: Elena Martin, documentary film producer Martichka Bozhilova, producer, director of Balkan Documentary Center Viera Čákanyová, filmmaker
Projects: Sunbirds – Fanni Hatházi (Hungary) & Romanian Ornithological Society (Romania) Life on pause – Anthoniy Hristov & Single Step (Bulgaria) White, Green and Queer – Kosta Karakashyan & Deystvie (Bulgaria) Demon on four wheels – Alexandru Oiță (Romania) Spread your wings / Când mintea zboară – Anelise Sălan & Romanian Ornithological Society (Romania)
Civil Society Pitch is organized by the One World Romania Association in partnership with: Balkan Documentary Center (Bulgaria), VERZIO International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival (Hungary), MOLDOX Lab (Republic of Moldova), National University of Theatre and Film "I.L. Caragiale", National University of Arts Bucharest, Master of Anthropology SNSPA, Master of Visual Studies and Society SNSPA (Romania).
Venues: Czech Centre Bucharest, KAS Rule of Law Programme South East Europe
Forum Civil Society Pitch is a multiannual cultural program co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund.
Program coordinator: Raluca R. Gorgos
The program does not necessarily represent the position of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the program, nor for the manner in which the results of the program might be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the grant.