Ji.hlava New Visions is a financing, co-production and networking event dedicated to supporting documentary production in its diversity and creativity.

The Ji.hlava New Visions Forum: U.S. Docs 2025 will feature eight U.S. projects in development as well as in production and post-production.

The selected projects traditionally include diverse genres and audiovisual formats – such as fiction films with documentary aspects, hybrid, cinema expanded, experimental and short films. The platform aims at effectively connecting the U.S. documentary filmmakers with the potential co-producers, distributors, sales representatives and film festivals from Europe.

The documentary projects presented at the Ji.hlava New Visions: U.S. Docs in the past years have later premiered at SXSW, Tribeca and other festivals.

Format

The projects are presented by the director-producer pair along with a preview of the upcoming film. The pitching takes place in October during the Ji.hlava IDFF and is available to all Ji.hlava industry accreditation holders.

The most promising project selected by a jury receives a cash award in cooperation with our partner American Documentary And Animation Film Festival (AmDocs).

Awards

Ji.hlava New Visions Award 2025 for the most promising U.S. project in partnership with Am Docs

The project will receive 7.000 USD as a cash award granted in cooperation with American Documentary And Animation Film Festival (AmDocs)

#Docs Connect Taskovski training award at Ji.hlava New Visions Forum 2025

Mentorship and consultancy on the festival, marketing and distribution strategy for the winning project
Eligible for both European and U.S. projects

Cannes Docs - Marché du Film Award at Ji.hlava New Visions Forum 2025

Two complimentary Marché du Film badges & selection as a Cannes Docs 2026 'Spotlighted Project'
Eligible for European, Asian and U.S. projects

DAE Award at Ji.hlava New Visions Forum 2025

Free memberships for two members of the project team for one year and a tailor-made consultancy session with DAE senior consultants.
Eligible for European, Asian and U.S. projects

Sheffield DocFest Networking Award at Ji.hlava New Visions Forum 2025

Two Industry Passes for Sheffield DocFest 2026
Eligible for European, Asian and U.S. projects

Lightdox award at Ji.hlava New Visions Forum 2025

Strategic guidance on the European and non-US industry landscape, encompassing project positioning, festival trajectory, distribution pathways, and impact strategy for the awarded project.
Eligible for U.S. projects