Focus Ukraine (Docudays at DokuFest)

Vision of the project

DokuFest joined forces with Docudays to spotlight Ukrainian documentary cinema and photography through **Focus Ukraine** at DokuFest in Kosovo. This partnership created the festival's largest country-focused showcase to date, highlighting Ukrainian culture's resilience and creativity. Focus Ukraine featured six slots for recent Ukrainian films, including five feature and 3–4 short documentaries, curated by Docudays.

These films were not only showcased at the festival but also screened in Prishtina, expanding their audience at a high-level event. They were incorporated into DokuFest's cinema programme and later presented as special programmes after the festival. Accompanying the films, a Ukrainian photography exhibition, also curated by Docudays, provided festival-goers with a visual journey into Ukraine's heart. DokuFest also leveraged this partnership for insightful discussions. Two panels were planned: one addressing the challenges of filming war crimes, drawing lessons from the Balkan conflicts, and another on how film festivals like Docudays support filmmakers during crises.

This collaboration aligned DokuFest's commitment to diversity, human rights, and social justice with Docudays' dedication to human dignity and documentary filmmaking. Focus Ukraine aimed to foster greater cultural understanding and empathy, enriching the European creative scene with unique perspectives and shared experiences.

The opening of Focus Ukraine at DokuFest was a high-level event that brought together representatives of the Kosovo government, Ukrainian journalists hosted in Kosovo, local media, and accredited ambassadors of Quint in Kosovo.

The opening programme was televised and broadcast on national TV frequencies and streamed online. 

Meet the Key Partner

Emerging from the aftermath of war, DokuFest, established in 2002, stands as a testament to cultural resilience and rebirth in Kosovo. With its roots in revitalizing Prizen's cultural heart, the festival has played a pivotal role in reshaping local identity and community bonds. As an influential platform, DokuFest transcends the realm of film festivals, nurturing educational reform and fostering interethnic dialogue as a social norm It's not just a celebration of cinema but a catalyst for social change and relationship building. By blending film with the city's historic heritage, DokuFest has reimagined public spaces and infrastructure, contributing significantly to the local economy. Recognized as a BAFTA and EFA nominating festival, its journey from a volunteer-driven event to an acclaimed cultural institution underscores its impact in shaping new narratives and reinforcing a shared sense of identity and community in Kosovo.

Start Date: June 14, 2024
End Date: Sept. 30, 2024