AVEK to join forces with Docs Up Fund – support for documentary filmmakers in the global south

As the pandemic has most affected filmmakers with fewer possibilities, we felt the need to show solidarity. Thus, AVEK, the Promotion Centre of Audiovisual Culture in Finland will direct 30 000€ to support documentary projects of the global south.

In the first phase, 15 000€ will be directed to Docs Up Fund, a France-based organization led by Alex Szalat. Docs Up Fund provides support for human rights documentaries in their early development or rough-cut stages.

Docs Up Fund will hand out AVEK’s grant as awards to filmmakers. Recipients of the awards must be from countries with little or no public support. In addition, gender equality will be taken into consideration in the distribution of the awards. Docs Up Fund will select maximum of five high ambition projects from different pitching forums or submissions they have received.

The recipients of the awards will be announced in the first quarter of 2021.