In recent years, documentary funding discussions have increasingly focused on validation: how projects are assessed, by whom, and through which measurable criteria. As funding resources shrink and applications rise, institutions rely more on data-driven indicators to manage risk and demonstrate accountability. Validation is now often required at early development stages and maintained throughout a project's execution.

Projects are increasingly expected to show prior signals of viability, such as lab selections, market participation, broadcaster interest, audience strategies, or institutional partnerships. These signals are often read as evidence that a project is solid and achievable, so projects that have already gained some visibility tend to progress faster. While this can disadvantage newcomers, it also introduces clearer benchmarks and greater transparency.

We will focus on the need of validation of documentaries in order to be able to encounter funding and distribution challenges. Questions such as; How and where can we start to centrally collect the international numbers showing the results on big screens, small screens, and community screenings? How do we measure the social impact? And how can all this information eventually be shared transparently?

The conversation will also connect validation to sustainability. Being able to clearly demonstrate the reach and impact of documentaries is essential, not only to argue for stronger public support and funding, but also for individual filmmakers, for whom solid audience results can make a real difference when financing their next film.

The panel is conceived as a conversation rather than a formal presentation, encouraging an open and meaningful exchange. We therefore invite all stakeholders to attend, listen, and share their expertise as we explore the next steps forward.

Following the discussion, the conversation will continue informally during a jointly hosted apéro.