The 8th edition of DokuBaku International Documentary Film Festival will take place on October 1-7, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This year DokuBaku is a part of  The Baku Cinema Breeze Festival (BCB), initiated by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Cinema Agency of The Republic of Azerbaijan.

This big event featuring established festivals such as the 15th Baku International Film Festival, the 8th DokuBaku International Film Festival, the 7th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival.

 

The Baku Cinema Breeze Festival aims to elevate Azerbaijan as the central hub for the film industry in the region, fostering a vibrant cinematic culture. It also seeks to cultivate a supportive ecosystem for local stakeholders in the film industry and to forge pathways for collaborative co-productions with international partners. Additionally, it will offer side events such as the Islamic Countries Cinema Award, the Animators’ Accelerator, and the Orient Countries Cinema Market.

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The main topic of this year’s DokuBaku festival is ‘iCosmos’. At the core of this year's festival lies a narrative journey that delves into the consequences of choices, both immediate and delayed, shaping the destinies of characters. This thematic exploration acts as a captivating lens through which we navigate the intricate fabric of karma, illustrating how our decisions intricately weave the tapestry of our lives. The theme of iCosmos explores the profound connection between the inner and outer worlds. Each individual possesses an inner cosmos, a unique reflection of their own world, where inner freedom and harmony reside. This theme emphasizes the interconnectedness of our personal universes (microcosm) with the greater universe (macrocosm), highlighting that everything is intertwined within our consciousness. As we journey through time and space, our inner cosmos shapes our experience of the world around us.

 

Partners of the DokuBaku festival are Goethe Institute, State Department of the Historical and Architectural Reserve of Icherisheher, YARAT Contemporary Art Space, Azerbaijan Union of Photographers.

 

This year's festival program features a documentary photography exhibition at Photo House, supported by the Azerbaijan Union of Photographers. One of our key partners is Icherisheher, whose slogan, 'Living History,' resonates deeply with the essence of documentary photography. This collaboration highlights the importance of capturing real moments and stories. Additionally, public screenings of documentary films will take place in the open air areas of Icherisheher. The festival program also includes side events and educational part.

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The program of this edition consists of 72 films, selected from more than 200 submissions. The finalists represent 42 countries. Films will be screened in its original language with Azerbaijani subtitles.

 

Background:

Established in 2017, DokuBaku IDFF is Azerbaijan's premier documentary film festival, dedicated to showcasing innovative and thought-provoking documentary films from around the world. The festival also intends to find new names and support local documentary filmmakers.

 

Uniquely positioned as the first and only festival of its kind in the country, our annual event curates a diverse selection of feature and short documentaries from around the globe, presenting them to Azerbaijani audiences in their native language. Our mission extends beyond mere film exhibition; DokuBaku serves as a vital platform for fostering cultural dialogue, facilitating discussions on real-world issues, and bridging the gap between global perspectives and Azerbaijani realities.