For the second year running, MIPDOC has selected eight documentary filmmakers from around the world for its International Trailblazers initiative which recognizes achievements in the factual genre.
Representing the African continent in the second edition of International Trailblazers is Vincent Moloi from South Africa and Jean-Marie Teno from Cameroon. The other selected documentary filmmakers are Larry Weinstein from Canada, Paolo Trombetti from Italy, Uldis Cekulis from Latvia, Marshall Curry from the US, Gan Chao from China and Nao Kubota from Japan.
The selection of the eight works were based on criteria which included use of new techniques, originality and making an impact on the genre. The participants were chosen by a panel made up of representatives from documentary associations and festivals. These include South Africa’s Encounters International Documentary Film Festival, the International Documentary Association in the U.S., Hot Docs in Canada, the European Documentary Network in Denmark, South Korea’s EBS International Documentary Festival and the Association of Japan TV Programs.
The selection criteria included use of new techniques, originality and making an impact on the genre.
For the second year in a row the initiative is being sponsored by the Sundance Channel and organized with the support of the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). International Trailblazers will take place during MIPDOC, at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes on 14 and 15 April, the weekend before MIPCOM begins.
Last year Sundance Channel acquired two programmes: Khalo Matabane’s Conversations on a Sunday Afternoon from South Africa and Georgi & the Butterflies from Bulgaria.
