The 9th edition of the Moldox International Documentary Film Festival will take place from November 27th to December 1st, 2024, at the iconic Cineplex Loteanu in Chișinău. With 27 powerful documentaries from around the world, the festival will focus on critical topics such as democracy, freedom of speech, gender equality, and the lives of marginalized communities. Moldox is a dynamic platform for film lovers, civil society members and film professionals, offering a variety of films, discussions, and special events aimed at encouraging social dialogue through cinema.
A Focus on Democracy
The central theme of Moldox 9th Edition is Democracy, explored through films that engage with pressing issues such as human rights, freedom of expression, and the lives of vulnerable groups. Each screening provides a unique perspective on how democracy shapes our world and challenges us to reflect on our collective values.
Opening and Closing Films
- Opening Night on November 27: The festival will open with the Moldovan documentary “Shadow of War”, which tells the emotional story of Moldovan volunteers helping refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. The film captures the deep complexity of the situation, highlighting both the solidarity and the anxiety felt in Moldova as the country faces the specter of being drawn into the conflict. The film was created by an ad-hoc collective of filmmakers from Moldova.
- Closing Night on December 1: The festival will close with the uplifting “Agent of Happiness”, a documentary that takes audiences on a journey through Bhutan, a country that measures Gross National Happiness. Following the work of Amber, one of Bhutan’s “agents of happiness”, this film offers a heartwarming exploration of joy and resilience, regardless of the challenges life throws at us.
Celebrating Moldovan Talent
This year, Moldox shines a special spotlight on Moldovan filmmakers. A curated selection of 8 short, medium-length, and feature-length films created by directors based in Moldova or the ones from diaspora will be showcased. This special selection will emphasize the work of female journalists that have ventured in the art of documentary making, highlighting their role in shaping the local film scene.
International Program
In addition to Moldovan films, Moldox presents 19 international documentaries from countries such as Ukraine, Haiti, Romania, USA, Poland, Germany, Greece, Austria and many others. These films, all exploring the theme of democracy, will make their Moldovan premieres at the festival. A record 22 Q&A sessions with filmmakers will give audiences a chance to engage with the creators and learn more about their work. Films will be shown in their original languages, with Romanian subtitles, and several films will be in Russian.
For the full festival program and details on each film, visit https://moldoxfestival.com/en/programme/
Public Discussions and Panels
Moldox, 9th Edition will host five discussion panels, moderated by acclaimed journalist Vasile Ernu. Topics will explore the role of documentary film in democracy, the challenges of freedom of speech, and the intersection of migration and democratic values.
Panel Highlights Include:
- The Conditions of Democracy for Public Artists – with Dan Perjovschi (RO), artist and journalist.
- Can We Be Apolitical in Democracy? – with Nicu Ștefănuță (RO), vicepresedinte of the European Parliament.
- Where and How Can We Speak About Freedom When There Is No Space Left to Speak? – with Vladimir Thorik (MD), editor of RISE Moldova and Vitalie Sprînceană (MD), civil rights activist.
- Democracy and Migration: The Freedom to Leave or Stay – with Dorina Roșca (MD), President, European Institute for Development Studies.
- Democratizing Public Spaces: How Does Our City Help Us Be Free? – with Anetta Dabija (MD), Chișinău City Counselor and Ana Popa (MD), urban activist.
Special Events & Networking
Moldox is not just about films—it’s about bringing people together for meaningful conversations, celebrations, and networking. The festival offers several special events at venues across Chișinău, including Catedra, Queer Café, and Club Skal.
- The Moldox Party will be held on November 29 at Club Skal, featuring a performance by the fabulous MEDEA.
- On November 30, Moldox will host a concert with Tatuni, an emerging Moldovan artist that will sing his under-pop repertoire songs. Admission is free.
Film Industry Events
- Moldox is an attraction for industry professionals. CinemaHora Forum 2024 stands as a pivotal platform for industry professionals in Moldova. Organized by the National Film Center of Moldova, this international forum (28-29th of November) will gather esteemed filmmakers and industry leaders to explore the transformative power of cinema in addressing societal challenges. Now in its second edition, the event solidifies Moldova’s growing prominence in the European cinematic landscape, fostering collaboration and dialogue across borders.
- Goethe-Institut Bucharest will lead a workshop for cultural managers from Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova, focusing on expanding regional networks and collaborative projects in the arts.
- A special panel organized by the Danish Embassy and Danish Cultural Institute will focus on the relationship between Moldovan and Danish experts from Moldox and CinemaHora who will discuss the power of international cooperation in film, highlighting how cinema fosters solidarity and bridges cultural divides. The event will conclude with a dialogue between Denmark and Moldova on how creativity can unite even countries in conflict, organized by the Danish Embassy and Danish Cultural Institute.
Art Radio Project: “An Emotional Encyclopedia of War”
This year, Moldox presents “An Emotional Encyclopedia of War”, an immersive radio art project by Anna Kravets. The project explores the emotional and personal impact of war through sound. Visitors can engage with the artist at Queer Café in Casa Zemstvei from November 28 to 30.
Moldox Lab Workshops & Masterclasses
The Moldox Lab returns with a series of workshops aimed at nurturing new documentary talent. Mentored by professionals from Romania, Germany, Sweden and the US, these workshops offer both young filmmakers and industry professionals an opportunity to develop skills and network.
- INSPIRATION: A workshop for emerging directors focused on documentary film development.
- INTERACTION: A workshop for civil society organizations using film as a tool for raising awareness.
- EXPLORATION: A program for young people to gain practical filmmaking experience through field exercises.
- INTERSECTIONS: A workshop for film editors to learn storytelling techniques through editing and experience the documentary production process.
Moldox Lab also hosts at Artcor several masterclasses and talks for industry professionals:
- “How to Prevent Burnout in the Documentary Film Industry” with clinical psychotherapist and art-therapist Ecaterina Postolati on November 27.
- Pitch@Moldox will offer a unique opportunity for documentary creators to present their works-in-progress to a panel of esteemed industry experts, including producers, distributors, and festival programmers. This event fosters collaboration, networking, and the potential for securing funding and distribution for innovative documentary projects on November 29th.
- “Crafting a compelling documentary“ with independent documentary film consultant Helle Hansen (DK) on November 30.
- Moldox Lab Talk: Festival Strategy for Documentary Filmmakers with Mariette Rissenbeek (DE, former Berlinale executive), Thanos Stavropoulos (GR, Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival), and Daniel Țîcu (MD, documentary filmmaker) on November 30.
- Moldox Lab Talk: How to Find Funding for Your Documentary with film directors Beata Bubenets-Bashkirova (FR), Pavel Cuzuioc (AT/MD), and Anelise Sălan (RO) on December 1.
- Moldox Lab Partner Presentation: “How to Collaborate with Pitch the Doc”, an industry platform for documentary projects on December 1.
Tickets & Access
To foster a vibrant film culture in Moldova, Moldox will charge symbolic ticket prices:
- 20 Lei for short films.
- 40 Lei for feature-length films
- A number of festival passes will be available for film and media students in Moldova to attend the festival free of charge.
- Tickets will be available for presale starting on 21st of November on https://cineplex.md/home#/ or at the cinema box offices.
Join Us for Moldox, 9th Edition!
Don’t miss our exceptional festival dedicated to the power of documentary film to spark conversation and inspire change. Join us from November 27 to December 1, and become part of the global conversation on democracy and freedom through the lens of documentary cinema.