ZagrebDox Pro this year again includes a preparatory four-day workshop mentored by Leena Pasanen, Director at DOK Leipzig and Stefano Tealdi, director and producer, intended for selected creative documentary projects at different stages of development and production. Throughout the workshop, the mentors will prepare the project teams for the central ZagrebDox Pro event, the Pitching Forum, where the teams will present their documentary projects to the members of the international panel and audience.

International panel that will be deciding on the best projects is consisted of TV editors, representatives of film festivals and funds, distributers and producers: Trevor Birney (Five Point Films), Vladimir Brnardić (HTV), Manuela Buono (Slingshot Films), Carine Chichkowsky (Survivance), Lejla Dedić (Al Jazeera Balkans), Hanka Kastelicová (HBO Europe), Elizabeth McIntyre (Sheffield Doc/Fest), Marko Njegić (HAVC), Leena Pasanen (DOK Leipzig), Andraž Pöschl (RTV Slovenija), Daniel Rafaelić (HAVC), Oliver Sertić (Restart) and Harry Vaughn (Sundance Film Festival).

This year's Pitching Forum will present 12 selected documentary projects at different stages of development and production from 11 countries. Every Pitching Forum participant will have seven minutes to present the project, including the screening of trailers and other visual materials and eight minutes to answer the panel members' questions. After the presentation, the international panel will decide on the best projects to receive the HBO Adria Award, including a diploma and €2000 for further project development, ZagrebDox Pro Online Mentor Award – a one-year online mentorship with Hanka Kastelicová, HBO Europe executive producer, and ZagrebDox Pro DCP Award, including the material for making a professional DCP file upon the finalisation of the award-winning film. Check out more detailed information about the awards here.

The Pitching Forum is scheduled for Thursday, 1 March at Kaptol Boutique Cinema – Cinema 3, at 10am. Admission to the Pitching Forum is open to the public free of charge.

ZagrebDox Pro training programme is organized with the support of Creative Europe - MEDIA Programme of the European Union, Government of The Republic of Croatia - Office for cooperation with NGOs and Croatian Film Directors' Guild (DHFR).