Rules and regulations
Welcome to AJD Industry Days
We invite documentary projects in development, pre-production, production, and rough-cut stages to submit their projects through the portal from 3 March until 31 May 2025.
*Only for SEE, Caucasus, and MENA filmmakers and producers, or Docs focused on SEE, Caucasus, and MENA countries*
About
AJD Industry Days is an international forum dedicated to supporting the expansion of documentaries worldwide, including international co-productions, and matches decision-makers with new interesting and valuable projects. It provides SEE, Caucasus and MENA documentary filmmakers and producers the opportunity to connect with key industry professionals from the Balkans and abroad to help secure funding for SEE, Caucasus and MENA documentary production and support their broadcasting, distribution, screening, and sales worldwide. The event will consist of a variety of pitching sessions, round table meetings, one-to-ones, hands-on workshops, and networking activities.
Forum Overview:
- Day 1:
Main Pitch
- Day 2:
Rough Cut
- Day 3:
Balkan Stars
Pitching Requirements:
All projects received through the portal will be eligible for the Main Pitch, Rough-cut, or Balkan star panels.
Main Pitch and Balkan Stars:
Producers/filmmakers will have up to 7 minutes to present each project, including a trailer, budget, and finance plan, followed by an 8-minute Q & A session.
For the Balkan star pitch, AJD Industry Days will accept and present projects which will have a length of either 27 or 52 minutes.
Ensure all necessary information is provided in English.
We do not accept WeTransfer links or Google Sheets for attached files.
Rough-Cut:
The selected filmmakers/producers for Rough-Cut pitches will be requested to pitch their projects in 20 mins, including a maximum of 13 minutes of the rough-cut and presentation, with a budget and finance plan, followed by a Q & A session with decision-makers.
Ensure all necessary information is provided in English.
We do not accept WeTransfer links or Google Sheets for attached files.
Scope of Entries:
Projects will be accepted from new documentaries looking for international co-production. As a basic rule, projects can be in any stage of production.
Entries for one-off films (TV or feature length) or series format, creative documentaries intended for theatrical distribution, TV broadcasting, and/or other platforms are eligible.
Any valid topics will be accepted, including current affairs, social issues, history, art, and culture.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be filmmakers/producers affiliated with a production company, or an independent filmmaker/producer.
- Independent filmmakers/producers must attach their work history and a letter of recommendation.
- Filmmakers/producers must preferably either reside in SEE, the Caucasus, or MENA or propose projects related to the regions.
- Without all the required information.
- Entries exceeding the word count.
- Without the required photographic data.
Application Method:
Submit your project through the online application form (portal) on the website by 31 May 2025. Submissions via email or post will not be accepted.
Entries must be submitted in English.
Submission Deadline: 31 May 2025
The selection committee will choose the proposed projects. The selection committee will evaluate the submissions based on whether it is "a high-quality documentary" and whether the documentary is "a project appropriate for realization through international co-production".
Successful submissions will be informed by the end of July 2025.
Fees: free of charge.
To read more about the rules and regulations and fill in the entry form please click here (hyperlink to submission form).
AJD Industry Days @ AJB DOC:
Sarajevo from 13-15 September 2025.