Passion For Worldwide Talent

#DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking Training | 3 Modules

Welcome to #DocsConnect — Film Academy for Conscious Creative Leaders

A creative and professional space where filmmaking becomes a practice of care, clarity, social impact, and conscious leadership.
We believe that now more than ever, the world needs films that don’t just raise awareness, but deepen empathy, foster dialogue, and contribute to real systemic change. As filmmakers and storytellers, our responsibility is not only what we tell — but how we tell it, with whom, and at what cost to ourselves and others.

The #DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking Training is our response to this moment.
Rooted in over 25 years of international documentary industry experience through Taskovski Films, the program supports filmmakers from idea to screen, from development to impact, while placing wellbeing, ethics, and sustainability at the centre of the creative process.
This is not only a training — it is an invitation to reimagine filmmaking as a values-led, collaborative, and human practice.

Creative Development & Conscious Leadership

(6-day Conscious Filmmaking Lab in Sitges in October 2026)

Who it’s for: Filmmakers seeking sustainable careers, conscious leadership, and alignment between creative work and wellbeing.

What you will learn & experience:

  • Define creative voice & core values

  • Career planning & sustainable company strategy

  • Leadership & cross-disciplinary teamwork

  • Wellbeing tools for resilience & longevity

  • Integrate development, production, & distribution planning

Apply Here

Co-production, Impact & Distribution

(Online Programme + Movies That Matter Festival & Impact Lab |  Feb – Mar 2027)

Who it’s for: Filmmakers with projects in development wanting to strengthen impact strategy, co-production approach, and ethical positioning.

What you will learn & experience:

  • Co-production & funding models

  • Packaging & pitching with purpose

  • Building bridges with NGOs & social partners

  • Masterclasses & 1:1 mentorship

  • Movies That Matter Festival & Impact Lab participation

  • Observe 10–12 international impact campaigns & NGOs

Apply Here

Business, Innovation & Industry Access

(Sunny Side of the Doc Fest, June 2027)

Who it’s for: Filmmakers seeking international collaboration, exposure to market trends, and network expansion.

What you will learn & experience:

  • Innovation in storytelling & documentary form

  • Cross-border creative collaboration

  • 1:1 strategy & market preparation

  • Networking with key decision-makers

  • Innovation labs & interactive sessions

Apply Here

Who This Programme Is For

  • Independent filmmakers & producers (documentary, hybrid, experimental)

  • With or without projects

  • Committed to reflection, collaboration & conscious practice

  • Interested in ethical, sustainable, values-led filmmaking

How We Work — Our Methodology

  • Learning through practice, dialogue & reflection

  • Small groups for deep engagement

  • Cross-disciplinary exchange & peer learning

  • Mentorship by award-winning filmmakers & industry experts

  • Integration of wellbeing, creative practice & professional strategy

Key Numbers

  • Global Reach: 412 Alumni | 40+ Countries
  • Inclusion & Diversity: 38 participants from 22 territories (2024-2026), including 26 women and 2 non-binary professionals
  • Project Growth: 80% of projects progressed to the next stage post-programme
  • Market Success: 100% of participants pitched at major international markets (e.g., Sunny Side of the Doc, Movies that Matter)
  • Top-Tier Festivals: 40+ selections & 15+ awards (e.g., Venice, IDFA, Sarajevo, Visions du Réel)

Beyond the Workshop

Our systematic follow-up shows that #DocsConnect creates real-world opportunities:

  • Funding: 40% of projects secured international co-production or financial support within 12 months.
  • Networking: An average of 20 high-level industry meetings per participant during the modules.
  • Corporate Growth: 63% of participants applied new business or production practices within their organisations within 6-12 months.
  • Collaboration: 65% of our participants enter into new international co-productions thanks to the network.

Alumni Satisfaction: 100%

Based on our latest aggregated survey, 100% of participants recommend #DocsConnect. 50% of our alumni remain actively engaged as mentors or collaborators, ensuring a long-term knowledge exchange pipeline and strengthening the European audiovisual sector.


Aggregated programme results and alumni outcomes are published annually on this page, contributing to transparent knowledge sharing across the European audiovisual sector.

We’ve implemented this training methodology multiple times and have seen powerful, lasting impact on both participants and their projects. Each edition has supported filmmakers and creative storytellers in deepening their vision, advancing their work, and building meaningful, sustainable practices. Below is an overview of what makes this methodology so effective and transformative.

…. and many others

YOU CAN FIND THE APPLICATION FORM HERE

Your Learning Journey

#DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking Training is structured around three core modules, each designed to support a different phase of your creative and professional evolution. From nurturing your authentic voice to navigating real-world industry structures and forging lasting partnerships—our program blends artistic exploration with strategic action, personal growth, and ethical leadership.

Across all three modules, we guide participants through four interconnected layers:

  1. Film Industry Know-How – From development to distribution and impact, working in a cross-disciplinary environment.

  2. Wellbeing and Self-Awareness – On both individual and organizational levels.

  3. Conscious Leadership – From self-leadership to collective, organizational, and systemic leadership.

  4. Industry Networking and Establishing Partnerships – Meaningful community connection, sharing knowledge and experience, and nurturing conscious collaboration to co-create a better world.

Module 1: CONSCIOUS FILMMAKING LAB IN SITGES IN OCTOBER 2026 – €2,600

A Comprehensive Learning and Mentorship Experience Designed to Empower Filmmakers and Shape Meaningful Projects.

The Conscious Filmmaking Lab is designed to equip filmmakers with the skills, tools, and insights they need to navigate the complexities of the film industry while staying true to their values. This module focuses on the essential aspects of filmmaking from development to distribution, providing a comprehensive understanding of working in a cross-disciplinary environment.

Price: €2600

You can join this module as an observer without a project for €1250 (€900 tuition fee + €350 for food). Accommodation is not included, but we recommend the eco-friendly Camping Garrofer, located near the venue. We can also connect you with other observers to share accommodation and make it more affordable.

Find the application form here.

Please note: VAT is not included in the listed prices.

Module 2: ONLINE MASTERCLASSES, 1-ON-1 MENTORSHIP AND MOVIES THAT MATTER 2027 – €800

A tailored virtual journey featuring  one-on-one mentorship, expert-led masterclasses from top industry voices, and the option to join the Movies that Matter Impact Lab in March 2027 as an observer. Learn how to strategically shape your project for co-production, financing, and long-term sustainability.

Offered Online Masterclasses Include:

If you join the full module as a participant, it costs 800€.

You can join this module as an observer without a project. It includes online masterclasses and costs €200 in tuition fees. If you are attending Movies that Matter, there is an additional €200 fee. Total: 400€ (accommodation, travel, and accreditation are not included).

Find the application form here.

Please note: VAT is not included in the listed prices.

 

Module 3: PREPARATION AND PARTICIPATION PROGRAM AT SUNNY SIDE OF THE DOC FEST 2027 – €800

This module prepares participants for high-impact visibility and success. It includes a guided experience at one of the leading global markets for documentaries—Sunny Side of the Doc Fest—helping you find the right partner for your film, activate your network, and build meaningful, career-shaping industry connections.

Key Components of the Module:

  1. Industry Know-How & Market Readiness
    Participants will:

    • Attend online preparatory sessions focused on defining their project and company goals

    • Identify key industry professionals they wish to connect with and prepare tailored outreach strategies

    • Receive guidance on conscious leadership in networking, pitching, and industry engagement

    • Participate in individualized mentoring and curated one-on-one meetings

    • Engage in thematic pitch sessions, gaining insider knowledge on co-production, funding, and distribution pathways

  2. Wellbeing & Self-Awareness in High-Pressure Environments
    Practical tools for managing stress, emotional regulation, and inner clarity will be provided to help participants navigate market intensity with confidence, presence, and authenticity.

  3. Conscious Leadership in Practice
    Graduates of our previous modules will become peer mentors. As part of the Sunny Side Academy public sessions, participants will share insights, tools, and learnings from their own journeys, activating a ripple effect of shared wisdom within the wider community.

  4. Networking & Ecosystem Building
    Beyond deal-making, this module fosters value-based collaboration. We encourage long-term partnerships rooted in shared ethics, sustainability, and creative synergy, contributing to a more inclusive and resilient industry.

Price: €800

You can attend this module as an observer without a project. Total: €250 (accommodation, travel, and accreditation not included).

Find the application form here.

Please note: VAT is not included in the listed prices.

Some of the Mentors


IRENA TASKOVSKI
CEO & Founder of Taskovski Films and #DocsConnect Taskovski Training


BÅRD KJØGE RØNNING
Co-founder of Antipode Films & Co-producer of Oscar-winning No Other Land (2024)


LUCIJA STOJEVIĆ
Founder of Noon Films & director and producer of Gaudí-winning La Chana (2016)


ANDRÉS BARTOS AMORY
Writer, producer, and director at Noon Films


MATISS KAŽA
Founder of Trickster Pictures & Co-writer and producer of Oscar-winning Flow (2024)


LIIS NIMIK
Award-wining producer and editor


JORGE CABALLERO
Award-winning filmmaker & Co-founder of Gusano Films


ALEXANDER GOEKJIAN
Award-winning editor and script advisor

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