BRIDGING THE GAP: From exile to creation of Belarusian Independent Film Academy

A panel discussion on different practices of Belarusian independent filmmakers to keep the film industry alive.

One year has passed since the last year’s Northern Lights Film Festival and PÖFF joint discussion on Belarusian independent film industry. However, Belarusian filmmakers were focused on overcoming a feeling of displacement and trauma caused by political repressions in Belarus and war in Ukraine, they keep being resilient and productive. They were actively searching for solutions on how to survive in new circumstances, exploring different experiences in European and world film industries to come up with something innovative and long-lasting.

In this panel Belarusian filmmakers, film festival representatives, co-founders of Belarusian Independent Film Academy and other film professionals will talk about how to be heard and seen when in exile, what a handful of people can do for the whole industry and what is a healthy way of integration for Belarusian filmmakers to still keep their identity but open and expand to the world.

Organized by PÖFF and Northern Lights Film Festival
Moderated by Davide Abbatescianni, Cineuropa