Across Europe, film festivals increasingly function not only as individual exhibition platforms, but as interconnected ecosystems that shape cultural circulation, professional pathways and audience access. Festival networks play a key role in advancing inclusive programming by enabling films, filmmakers and perspectives to circulate across borders, markets and audiences, thereby strengthening the visibility and sustainability of emerging and underrepresented voices within the audiovisual landscape. Talent development is further reinforced when festival networks complement programming activities with light-touch professional support, such as mentoring, peer exchange, networking opportunities and access to industry knowledge. While not all festivals position themselves as industry hubs, their participation in networks creates important bridges between artistic visibility and professional continuity, supporting filmmakers' transition from early recognition to long-term careers.

The roundtable will be structured as a conversation between representatives of Doc Alliance and the Network of Festivals of the Adriatic Region. The audience is warmly invited to exchange experiences and questions.

This event is open to all with a Market Badge on a first come, first served basis. To take part in this event, please check in at the Café Connect counter.

Speakers:

Anastasiia Kleshchenko, FIDMarseille, Programme Department, France

Asja Krsmanovic, Sarajevo IFF, Head of CineLink, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Emilie Bujès, Visions du Réel, Artistic Director, Switzerland

Hélder Beja, Doclisboa IFF, Festival Director, Portugal

Karol Piekarczyk, Millennium Docs Against Gravity, Artistic Director, Poland

Mara Gourd-Mercado, CPH:DOX, Head of Industry, Denmark

Marek Hovorka, Ji.hlava IDFF, Festival Director, Czech Republic

Nadja Tennstedt, DOK Leipzig, Director DOK Industry, Germany

Simon Popek, Ljubljana IFF, Artistic Director, Slovenia

Sona Karapoghosyan, Golden Apricot IFF, Programmer, Armenia