Announcing commissions from the Global Short Docs Forum

The Global Short Docs Forum (GSDF) matches fast-changing media outlets with new talent focused on underreported stories from the global south. GSDF: Solutions Edition was an expansion of the programme to bring solutions-focused documentaries to media outlets; and give emerging filmmakers in low and middle-income countries greater access to the industry.

This year’s GSDF was incredibly successful with four films matched with commissioners so far. For five weeks, our mentors worked with 16 filmmakers around the world, many of whom were from diverse backgrounds, telling diverse solutions-focused stories. These projects were then pitched to commissioners at major media outlets. We’re so proud to announce that participants’ work will soon be seen on platforms like CBC Docs and Great Big Story.

A 13-minute cut of Biswajit Das’ film in India was acquired by Mongabay. Liudmyla Batalova, filming in Ukraine, produced a documentary for NZZ Format.

Michael Ansah, filming in Ghana, is in production with Great Big Story. And Mithun Pramanik, filming in India, will have a documentary out with CBC Docs in 2024.

Here are a few more details about two exciting projects and the talented people producing these docs.

Biswajit Das | Filming in India

A conservationist in the north eastern Indian state of Assam devises innovative solutions to mitigate damaging human elephant conflict and develop community tolerance.

Mongabay acquired a 13-minute cut of the project.

Liudmyla Batalova | Filming in Ukraine

Jugend im Krieg (“Youth at war”) – A film by Liudmyla Batalova and Sashko Brama.

NZZ Format follows a group of young people in the city of Chernihiv in northeastern Ukraine: from the first days of the war, through the siege, to the liberation of the city and the challenges of life afterwards.

The graduating classes of the local school are preparing for the end of their school years, full of anticipation for the big prom and the transition into adult life. Then, war breaks out. But, the youngsters preserve the dream of graduation and the long-awaited prom. In the midst of destruction and siege, the teens find comfort in the idea that they can catch up on their dance. After the siege, they turn their dream into reality and finally dance their graduation dance. Ukrainian filmmakers Liudmyla Batalova and Sashko Brama touchingly tell of the strength and determination of young people in the darkest of times and of their dreams and hopes for a peaceful future.

The film will be broadcast on Swiss television (SRF) on 7 December and will be available on the homepage of the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” and at nzz.ch/format from 8 December.