MOLDOX International Documentary Film Festival returns for its 11th edition, taking place in Chișinău from November 25 to 29, 2026, at Cineplex Loteanu.
Over five days, film enthusiasts, filmmakers, members of civil society, young people, and the wider public are invited to explore some of the most powerful international documentaries addressing human rights, the environment, social justice, vulnerability, and major contemporary issues.
MOLDOX is the largest platform in the Republic of Moldova dedicated exclusively to documentary filmmaking for social change. Beyond film screenings, the festival offers audiences an open space for debate, professional workshops, and conversations with directors from around the world.
The 11th edition of the festival puts one central question in the spotlight: “Coexist?” All screenings and events at MOLDOX 2026 aim to create a space for reflection on the many questions surrounding coexistence. This theme serves as both a guiding thread throughout the programme and a point of contention for those seeking to explore and reflect on the world we live in.
An international and national selection of approximately 50 films — this year’s programme features feature-length and short documentaries from the line-ups of prestigious international film festivals, including Sundance and San Sebastián, as well as Oscar-winning films. The films tackle pressing issues that resonate with people in Moldova, alongside a selection of homegrown short and feature-length documentaries. Many screenings will be followed by Q&A sessions with the filmmakers.
A first for MOLDOX — Agnès Varda retrospective. For the first time in the festival’s history, the programme will feature a cinematic retrospective dedicated to legendary French filmmaker Agnès Varda, an iconic figure of the French New Wave and a pioneer of personal, empathetic documentary filmmaking. Her work offers audiences profound insights into humanity and the art of visual storytelling.
The Green Vine National Competition — second edition. This competition is dedicated to filmmakers born in the Republic of Moldova, as well as documentary films co-produced with Moldova, bringing local and international stories to the big screen. The selected mid-length and feature-length films will compete for the Green Vine Award, celebrating Moldova’s cultural heritage and the emerging voices of its film industry.
Two Awards for International Films. This year, the international film selection will receive two special awards:
- Audience Award — decided directly by audience members through voting following the screenings.
- AMTAP Student Award — presented by a jury of students from the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts in Chișinău, recognising and supporting young filmmakers’ perspectives on documentary cinema worldwide.
MOLDOX Lab and professional workshops. The festival will host a new edition of its intensive training and experimentation programme in documentary filmmaking. Filmmakers, aspiring film and video editors, journalists, and activists will have the opportunity to engage in a process of co-creation and gain an introduction to the film industry. The programme is specifically designed to support the development of local documentary projects and foster international collaboration.
MOLDOX Lab will conclude with a PITCH MOLDOX Lab showcase event, where participants will present their projects. The festival will also organise masterclasses open to the general public, led by international experts.
Discussion panels. These panels will serve as spaces for debate, mutual support, and dialogue. Discussions will bring together experts from civil society and public institutions, transforming the cinema into a forum for civic reflection.
The festival programme will also feature a street photography exhibition by photographer Andrei Moraru and the launch of the MOLDOX Documentary Film Essay Booklet.
School Partnerships and Documentary Film as an educational tool. MOLDOX continues to strengthen its mission of bringing current social issues into the school environment. A specialised training session will be organised for teachers, focusing on methods for integrating documentary films into classroom teaching and facilitating discussions on civic issues and human rights. Schools will also receive free access, by invitation, to a special selection of documentaries tailored to students, encouraging critical thinking and civic reflection.
All screenings and discussion panels will take place at Cineplex Loteanu in Chișinău. The festival programme and tickets will be released in the first weeks of November — stay tuned to our social media pages for updates.
Founded in 2016, MOLDOX International Documentary Film Festival has become a cultural and civic landmark in the Republic of Moldova. The festival is organised by MOLDOX Association, with financial support from the following partners: the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), in partnership with Plan International; the National Center of Cinematography of the Republic of Moldova (CNC); the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova; Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung; Goethe-Institut; the Embassy of France in the Republic of Moldova; the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; the French Institute in Bucharest; Orange; the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway; the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the Danish Cultural Institute; Innovate Moldova Programme, funded by Sweden and the United Kingdom; and German Films.
With curiosity and an open mind,
MOLDOX Team
Contact person: Irina Ursu, Communications and Public Relations Coordinator
MOLDOX Festival
E-mail: media@moldoxfestival.com
Telefon: 068 23 56 15
Website: moldoxfestival.com
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