English

An open-ended masterclass with Austrian filmmaker, cinematographer and producer Nikolaus Geyrhalter, known for his precise observational documentaries. Through selected scenes from his films, the session explores his creative process, the realities behind the camera and the decisions that shape his work. Audience questions and suggestions are welcome. Nikolaus Geyrhalter’s masterclass is a session with no predictable outcome.

What happens when documentary meets fiction, performance or experimental cinema? In recent years, an increasing number of films that resist easy categorisation have been appearing on the international festival circuit – and as curators, we are encountering them more and more often in our own submissions, too. But how should we approach these works, and where do the boundaries of documentary lie today? This panel invites a discussion on genre-crossing, the relationship between reality and fiction, and the ever-evolving possibilities of documentary filmmaking.

What does it mean to film in extreme conditions, when locations are dangerous, circumstances unpredictable, and filmmaking itself involves risks? Ross McClean, Bronte Stahl (Magilligan), Anton Shtuka (The Last Prometheus Dombas), Chico Pereira (11 Underground), and Piotr Pawlus (Death in the Making) share their experiences of filming in extraordinary circumstances, exploring the challenges they face and the limits of their presence as filmmakers. How can filmmakers persevere and capture high-quality footage in such conditions while ensuring their own safety and that of others?