The first of four EFM Industry Debates at this year’s Berlinale discusses the art of modern documentary
In the 2014 edition of the European Film Market, the Industry Debates will again discuss topical issues related to the film and media industry.

These issues have to do with how documentaries are changing artistically; with successful producers, the industry’s unsung heroes, and their insights into their experiences; and with new sales opportunities for European cinema, where the market for films is growing.
Friday’s session: “The Act (and Art) of the Doc”, presented in cooperation with “The Hollywood Reporter”, focuses on the crossroads facing documentary and non-fiction filmmaking. While television broadcasters are scaling back their doc budgets, cinematic documentaries continue to enjoy critical and commercial success. And while the audience for excellent non-fiction is out there, bridging the financial gap between idea and completed film has never been more difficult. Artistically, however, documentaries have arguably never been stronger. New documentaries – from the Oscar-nominated The Act of Killing to the ambitious 3-D project Cathedrals of Culture – are pushing the artistic limits of the non-fiction form, escaping the documentary niche and appealing to a wider audience.
The Berlin International Film Festival has long been committed to documentaries in their diverse forms. You can find the programmes of the Berlinale’s different sections and initiatives in the programme, as well in the European Film Market (EFM), Berlinale Co-Production Market, and Berlinale Talents.

In 2014, a total of 56 documentaries will be shown in a variety of forms. In addition, discussion of a wide range of different aspects related to documentaries will be intensified – at workshops, panels and presentations.