DOC DAY LIVE (Friday 15th November)
Triskel Christchurch, 11:00 – 17:00
Cork International Film Festival continues to develop its focus on high-quality Irish and international documentary cinema with Doc Day, connecting emerging and established non-fiction filmmakers with industry professionals and the wider documentary sector, with the objective of helping to inform, inspire and develop opportunities within the global documentary landscape.
SESSIONS INCLUDE:
- EURODOC | Empowering Documentary Makers
EURODOC is an ambitious programme for creative documentary producers, which has been empowering and connecting makers for 25 years through their flagship workshop and local programmes. The main objective of the programme is to help producers in the artistic and financial development of their project, to improve their knowhow in terms of international co-production and company management, implementing good practices in the sector.
In anticipation of their training initiative coming to Cork in October 2025, the festival is honoured to invite EURODOC representative Alexia de Montalembert to present about the scheme, featuring participation from Zlata Filipovic, a previous Irish EURODOC alumni, who will speak about the scheme from a producer’s perspective.
Speakers:
- Alexia de Montalembert – Coordinator, EURODOC
- Zlata Filipovic – Producer, Invisible Thread Films
Presented in partnership with EURODOC
2. Chasing the Light | Indigenous Documentary Case Study
World premiering at Cork International Film Festival 2024, Chasing the Light is a powerful feature length documentary that tells the story of how a 1960s hippy dream became a world-renowned centre of Buddhist practice at the Dzogchen Beara Retreat Centre on the cliffs of West Cork.
To coincide with the CIFF premiere and Irish cinema release of the film, Doc Day will present an in-depth case study of the film, breaking down the inception and evolution of the film’s development and production, analysing its creative elements, as well as dissecting the financing and distribution strategy for the film.
Speakers:
- Maurice O’Brien – Director, Chasing the Light
- Clare Stronge – Producer, Chasing the Light
Host: Niamh Fagan – Project Manager, Screen Ireland
3. The Gap in Consent | Navigating the relationship with your documentary subject
To coincide with the release of his PhD and accompanying film The Gap in Consent, documentarian and academic Tom Burke will present his research and analysis of the ethics of working with your documentary subjects – building intimacy and trust, navigating power imbalances, the limits of consent, and developing strong editorial practice.
Speaker: Tom Burke – Documentarian & Academic
4. Close-up on Non-Fiction Curation
Assembling experienced programmers from renowned international film festivals, this analysis of the craft of curation will encompass conversation on best practice in the process of programming for festivals, current trends in non-fiction programming, and what the changing industry landscape has meant for film festivals.
Speakers:
- Aurelie Godet – Director of Programming, Cork International Film Festival
- Mads Mikkelsen – Head of Programme, CPH:DOX
- Christopher Small – Editorial & Publications, Locarno Film Festival
5. The Making of a Japanese | So Japanese yet so universal
Intimately following 1st and 6th graders at a public elementary school in Tokyo amidst the coronavirus pandemic, The Making of a Japanese observes kids learning the traits necessary to become part of Japanese society.
A darling on the documentary festival circuit and a hit with audiences internationally, the creative team will join Doc Day to consider the journey of the film so far – from development and financing, through to sales, distribution and its exploitation and audience development plans.
Speakers:
- Ema Ryan Yamazaki – Director, The Making of a Japanese
- Eric Nyari – Producer, The Making of a Japanese
Host: Ken Wardrop – Director/Producer, Venom Films
This event will include a networking lunch supported by Creative Europe Desk Ireland, and will be followed by a networking drinks reception.
The networking receptions are sponsored by our Sponsor & Drinks Partner Murphy’s. (Enjoy responsibly)
Doc Day Online (November 15th – December 13th):
In addition to the in-person offering for Doc Day 2024, the Festival will host a series of online sessions complimenting this year’s non- fiction programme and encompassing in-depth filmmaker conversations and case studies.
SESSIONS INCLUDE:
- Career Interview | Emer Reynolds
Emer Reynolds is one of Ireland’s most established film directors and editors, with a career spanning over two decades. Her acclaimed work includes films such as The Farthest, Phil Lynott: Songs For While I’m Away and Here Was Cuba.
To coincide with Emer’s appointment as the 2024 Arts Council Film Artist in Residence at UCC, Doc Day online will present an in-depth career interview with Emer, discussing her route into the industry and her trajectory from successful film editor to director, with specific focus on her documentary work.
Speaker: Emer Reynolds
Host: Donal Dineen – Broadcaster & Filmmaker
2. Indigenous Doc-Making in Focus | Ag Lorg Hy-Brasil
Ag Lorg Hy-Brasil ruminates on an ancient, mythical island off the Connemara coast and explores how it inspired Ireland’s national pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023.
This session will explore the making of the film, including the funding process, creative intention and learnings along the way, and the overall journey for this highly original work.
Speakers:
- Laura Cranley – Producer
- Martin Danneels – Director
- Geoff Power – Writer
Host: Derek O’Connor – Writer, Filmmaker and RTÉ Culture Editor
Presented in partnership with In Real Life
3. Sustaining long-term relationships with your subjects
Featuring the filmmakers behind Love Alone Can’t Make a Child (Der Wunsch) and Mother Vera, both screening in our international documentary programme at the festival, the fascinating process of working with, and the complexities of maintaining relationships with your documentary subjects, will be explored in this session.
Speakers:
- Judith Beuth – Director, Love Alone Can’t Make a Child (Der Wunsch)
- Cécile Embleton – Co-director, Mother Vera
- Alys Tomlinson – Co-director, Mother Vera
Host: Rohan Crickmar – Documentary Programmer, Cork International Film Festival
4. Trans Memoria | An Exploration of Personal Filmmaking
Trans Memoria is a non-fiction exploration of self-discovery, navigating womanhood through loss and introspection, weaving past regrets and future aspirations in a poetic documentation of embracing true selves.
This intimate conversation will explore the journey of making such a personal, first person film, as well as the filmmaker’s individual and collaborative creative process.
Speaker: Victoria Verseau – Director, Trans Memoria
Host: Simone James – Filmmaker
Presented in partnership with GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival
